The Steelers did everything they could to make it into the AFC playoffs by beating the Browns, 28-14, but the Miami Dolphins got a last-minute field goal to beat the Jets and win the final AFC wild card spot.
It was an afternoon of highs and lows at Acrisure Stadium, both in the game itself and on the scoreboard watch. The Steelers fumbled the football away at the Cleveland goal line on their first possession, then fell behind 7-0 before putting things together toward the end of the first half. Kenny Pickett threw a 31-yard touchdown strike to a wide open George Pickens, followed by a Levi Wallace interception that led to a 49-yard field goal by Chris Boswell just before halftime.
In the third quarter, Boswell kicked a 34-yard field goal and Damontae Kazee picked off another Deshaun Watson pass, leading to an eventual 4-yard touchdown run by Najee Harris. The Browns answered with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Nick Chubb – after a terrible penalty call on Cam Heyward for roughing the passer – and Pickett then led a game-clinching touchdown drive that ended with Derek Watt’s one-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion toss to Diontae Johnson.
Coach Mike Tomlin liked the effort and focus of his team, which won seven of its last nine games after starting 2-6.
Tomlin says his young team showed significant growth as the season went on.
Tomlin always had confidence that his team was built to win now, rather than having to wait to develop.
Cam Heyward had two sacks, including getting Watson on the final play of the game. He would have had three sacks except he was inexplicably flagged for roughing the quarterback on a routine tackle on the previous possession. Heyward wondered aloud if the Steelers would want him back for a 13th season. He appreciated the growth of the team this year, but said the team’s offseason roster-building will be interesting.
Harris ran for 84 yards and finished the season with 1,038 rushing yards. He is excited with the potential of the offense.
Linebacker Alex Highsmith had two sacks and finished the season with a team-leading 14-and-a-half. He says the Steelers have a great foundation to build upon.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury on the Steelers’ final drive. Tomlin said afterward that he was still being evaluated. Wide receiver Gunner Olszewski also suffered a knee injury late in the game.
Tomlin will hold his season-ending news conference today.
NFL
The NFL playoff field is set. The Wild Card round schedule starts with an NFC game between the Seahawks and 49ers on Saturday afternoon, followed by an AFC matchup of the Jaguars and Chargers in Jacksonville on Saturday night. Sunday features a triple-header which starts with the Dolphins meeting the Bills in Orchard Park. That’s an AFC game, followed by an NFC clash of the Giants and Vikings in Minnesota. Two AFC North opponents meet on Sunday night when the Ravens visit the Bengals. The Wild Card round comes to an end on Monday night with an NFC battle between the Buccaneers and Cowboys in Tampa. The Eagles and Chiefs both get the first round byes.
The Chicago Bears will get the first overall draft pick after the Houston Texans rallied to beat the Colts. Houston will have the second pick followed by the Cardinals, Colts and Seahawks. The Steelers will have the 17th overall pick in the draft and will also get the top pick in the second round, thanks to the in-season trade of Chase Claypool to the Bears.
It is Black Monday in the NFL, with the annual anticipated dismissal of head coaches. The Texans got the ball rolling by firing head coach Lovie Smith yesterday.
Comments