Needing a victory and losses by three other AFC playoff hopefuls, the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) took care of business at Heinz Field on Sunday by defeating the Cleveland Browns (4-12) in the rain, by a 20-7 final.
Pittsburgh also needed losses by the Miami Dolphins, who lost to the New York Jets, and the Baltimore Ravens, who trailed Cincinnati when the Steelers-Browns game ended. The last piece for an improbable and, dare I say, miraculous playoff berth, would be for San Diego to lose to a Kansas City Chiefs team that is locked into the AFC’s number five seed. The Chiefs are going to rest several starters including QB Alex Smith and RB Jamaal Charles.
The Steelers made a quick stop on defense and then drove 62 yards on nine plays on their first drive, which ended in a touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery, his tenth of the season. Le’Veon Bell added a touchdown before halftime and it was 14-0 Pittsburgh.
Shaun Suisham added field goals in the third and fourth quarter and the Pittsburgh defense held Cleveland scoreless until Fozzy Whitaker had a 35-yard TD reception from Jason Campbell with about three minutes remaining.
Campbell turned the ball over twice for Cleveland, on a fumble forced by Brett Keisel and a late interception by Lawrence Timmons. Roethlisberger threw two interceptions, but they resulted in no points for Cleveland. He finished the day 19-31 for 179 yards and a touchdown. Bell ran for 90 yards on 20 carries, falling just short of his second-straight 100-yard performance.
Pittsburgh finished the season on an 8-4 run and a three-game winning streak and awaits their playoff fate.
Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Steelers
