The Steelers locked up a first-round bye in the playoffs with a 34-6 win over the Texans yesterday in Houston. Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes, to JuJu Smith-Schuster and Justin Hunter, and Le’Veon Bell and Roosevelt Nix rushed for touchdowns as Pittsburgh improved to 12-and-3.
The Steelers sacked Texans quarterbacks seven times, including three by nickel back Mikel Hilton.
Linebacker James Harrison, who was released by the Steelers on Saturday to make room on the roster for returning tackle Marcus Gilbert, cleared waivers and is now a free agent.
If your dream is a first-ever all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl, it’s possible. The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the number-one seed in the NFC with a 19-10 win over the Raiders on Christmas Night at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles are 13-and-2. Nick Foles threw for 163 yards, a touchdown and a pick in the win. The Raiders dropped to 6-and-9.
As always, the NFL playoff picture is still undecided heading into the final week of the regular season. In the AFC, the Patriots can clinch the number one seed with a win Sunday over the Jets. If they lose and the Steelers beat the Browns, the Steelers get home field throughout the playoffs. Jacksonville will be the number 3 seed in the AFC, with Kansas City number four. The Ravens and Titans clinch with a win. If either stumbles, that could open the door for the Chargers or the Bills.
In the NFC. The Eagles will finish as the number one seed. The Vikings clinch the second seed with a win over the Packers on Sunday, with the Rams and Saints in the three and four slots, although they could flip-flop this weekend. The Panthers are still alive for the NFC South title and could still get the second seed. The Falcons clinch with a win or a Seahawks loss. The Seahawks need a win and a Falcons loss to get in the playoffs.
