The NFL’s single-season sacks record did not fall. The rugged Cleveland Browns defense got to take a bow anyway.

In a game that could have seen the Pittsburgh Steelers punch their postseason ticket, they instead got repeatedly punched in the mouth by the Browns. A shorthanded Steelers offense that kept one eye and several hands on Browns star edge rusher Myles Garrett continually found itself out of sorts and unable to create anything downfield.

Even after a desperate final-drive rally got the Steelers inside the Cleveland 10-yard line, the final three passes all went in the direction of Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward. None were completed.

The Browns held the Steelers without a touchdown all afternoon, in the process putting any thoughts of an AFC North-clinching celebration on hold, too. With the defense carrying the Browns to a 13-6 win Sunday, the Steelers slip to 9-7 and will host the 8-8 Ravens in a winner-takes-all divisional showdown next week.

The Browns are 4-12. Their Garrett and Ward-led defense has deserved better and generally delivered throughout the year, and it closed a strong run of home performances with a masterpiece.

Even at the end of another lost season and with an inept offense only partially capable of providing help, the Browns’ defense showed up to fight. Garrett showed up to set a record he’s long been flirting with and didn’t get home to do it, but he was part of a relentless effort that succeeded in slowing down Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who ended up averaging only 4.3 yards per pass.

Ahead of the final drive, the Steelers had just 233 yards all day and managed just two field goals despite finishing seven of their 10 possessions in Cleveland territory.

The Steelers were 3-of-15 on third downs and 0-for-3 on fourth downs, two of which came in the final two minutes. The Browns only got two first downs and managed 42 yards in the second half, but the defense carried the day.

“We got the win. That’s the most important part about it,” said Browns defensive tackle Shelby Harris, who swatted Rodgers’ fourth-down pass at the two-minute warning. “I think a big deal we made of it was that we’re not going to let them clinch at our house. They’re not going to come to Cleveland wearing ‘AFC North Division Champions’ hats after the game — none of that.

“We took that to heart, and we went out there and dominated. That’s what we expect.”

With near-constant double-teams of Garrett and really only a short-area passing game, the pathetic Pittsburgh offense was pretty much what the Browns expected, too. Top Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf was serving a two-game suspension, and monstrous tight end Darnell Washington was forced out of the game early with a broken arm. That further limited a Steelers operation that already had injuries across its offensive line and knew it would have trouble dealing with the attack-style defense of Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.