Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8) – Cleveland Browns (7-10): 28-14
So close to the feat… While they seemed out of the running for a long time to qualify for the playoffs, the Steelers came within a kick of seeking their qualification. Indeed, the Dolphins prevailed on a field goal against the Jets and effectively eliminating the Steelers.
But Pittsburgh will still have finished its season on a high note with an easy victory against the Browns. A victory that allows the Steelers to end with 9 wins this season, a new season with a positive record for coach Mike Tomlin, certainly the pillar of this franchise.
Pittsburgh in a position to dream
If the Steelers think they can score first on their first series, they are disappointed at the entrance to the endzone when Najee Harris (23 carries, 84 yards, 1TD) loses the ball while trying to cross the goal line on a strong race.
Finally it is the Browns who open the scoring first after 4 successive punts (2 on each side). After several races to advance, it is through the air that Deshaun Watson (19/29, 230 yards, 2TD, 2INT) and David Njoku find the fault (0-7).
Pittsburgh equalizes directly after with Kenny Pickett (13/29, 195 yards, 1TD) who finds Georges Pickens (3reec, 72, yards, 1TD) for reception and touchdown (7-7) from 31 yards. Pittsburgh is doing well on this series with a 3/3 in 3rd attempts including that for the touchdown.
Just before halftime, the Steelers took the lead on a 49-yard field goal. The locals can thank their defense which on the series before had intercepted Watson to allow the attack to start again on its 44 yards and be quickly well placed for this kick.
End on a high note
On resumption, Pittsburgh chained a long drive of 12 shares. A series concluded once again with a field goal (13-7) after Pickett was sacked on the 3rd attempt 10 yards from the endzone…
The locals fly away on the following series with the same recipe (or almost) as since the start of the season. The defense shows its strength with a new decisive action by D Kazee who intercepts the opposing quarterback. Behind, Pittsburgh starts from 25 opposing yards and Najee Harris makes up for his miss at the start of the game with a full center run for the touchdown (20-7).
After an exchange of punt, Cleveland puts the pressure on Pittsburgh at the start of the 4th quarter when Nick Chubb receives a short pass in the endzone to bring his team to 20-14. But the premises do not doubt for long and react with one of their best drives of the season, going up 75 yards in 14 actions and nearly 6 minutes. It was Derek Watt who concluded the series with a run and Diontae Johson converted the 2-point attempt to put his side away (28-14).
An easy victory but which did not allow Tomlin’s men to reach the final phase.
