If the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to get a shot in the playoffs, they were going to need some help from the Buffalo Bills.
Couple that with a win against the hapless Cleveland Browns and the Steelers would be able to erase the painful memories of a inexplicable loss last week to the Baltimore Ravens that looked to put their playoff dreams on ice.
The Steelers got that help, as the Bills found a way to beat the New York Jets 22-17 in a thriller at Ralph Wilson Stadium, leading to pandemonium among the large contingent of Steelers fans who watched the Steelers (10-6) grind out a 28-12 victory over the 3-13 Browns.
Led by Antonio Brown’s 13-catch, 187-yard performance that included a touchdown, along with a strong defensive effort that held the Browns offense to 260 net yards, the Steelers persevered despite of some sloppy play to earn the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs.
Coming out with urgency? – Taking into account the Steelers had a potential playoff berth on the line and the Browns were playing out the string, you’d expect a strong performance out of the gates. Although the Steelers were able to tally 242 total yards on offense in the first half, sloppy play and mistakes enabled the Browns to stick close and stay within striking distance.
Two first-quarter turnovers marred an otherwise productive first half. The first turnover came on a rare fumble by Brown on the Steelers first possession while Ben Roethlisberger threw a costly pick that gave the Browns a field goal late in the second quarter. Credit the Steelers defense for finding a way to stop the bleeding by holding the Browns to only three points off of those two first-half turnovers.
Defense makes big plays, holds their ground in the red-zone – Thanks to the Steelers defense making plays when they needed them, the Steelers were able to cling to a 14-9 halftime lead and much of that can be credited to the Steelers red zone defense. The Browns were 0 for 5 in red zone efficiency and twice were unable to find the end zone inside the Steelers 10-yard line.
The defense also forced three turnovers, including a crucial James Harrison interception in the third quarter that covered for a Roethlisberger interception gave the Browns a shot to take the lead. The Steelers put consistent pressure on Browns quarterback Austin Davis, as Stephon Tuitt notched two of the seven sacks for the unit on the day.
DeAngelo Williams out? – Despite of having plenty to celebrate tonight in Cleveland, the Steelers victory over the Browns may end up proving costly, as starting running back DeAngelo Williams went down early in the first half with an apparent ankle injury that kept him out the remainder of the contest. After a brief attempt to get back in the game, Williams was unable to play again and if his injury is serious, it could be trouble for the Steelers.
Subbing for Williams, Fitzgerald Toussaint was held to 24 yards on 12 carries and it was clear the Steelers running game was not the same without Williams. If Williams is unable to go in the playoffs, Toussaint is the only healthy tailback on the roster and will have the Steelers scrambling for help at the position. The Williams injury is eerily similar to the loss of Le’Veon Bell in the season finale last season and Steelers fans can only hope the results won’t be as devastating in the playoffs where Pittsburgh simply could not run the ball in a loss the Baltimore Ravens.
More big plays, mistakes for Roethlisberger – Once again Roethlisberger looked sharp at times and amassed huge yardage totals through the air for the Steelers. Although Roethlisberger threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns, he also threw two more interceptions and had a number of other throws that were agonizingly close to being picked. Roethlisberger is going to have to clean things up and limit the mistakes for the Steelers to have any shot of going deep in the playoffs.
Up next – There are still a number of scenarios but if the Broncos beat the San Diego Chargers, the Steelers will play at the Cincinnati Bengals next weekend. If the Broncos lose and the Chiefs win, the Steelers would travel for a match up with the Chiefs in Kansas City.
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
