Steelers slip into the NFL playoffs
Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Mike Mitchell celebrates after the Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns 28-12 in an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
(Cleveland) — The Pittsburgh Steelers have snuck into the NFL playoffs, with a lot of help from Buffalo.
The 10-6 Steelers topped Cleveland 28-12, while the Bills knocked off the New York Jets 22-17 to give Pittsburgh a wild-card berth.
“We’re not trying to make broad, sweeping statements about who and what we are,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. “We know who we are. We know what we’re capable of. I think it’s just more appropriate that we show you how we perform moving forward.”
The Steelers had to win and needed Buffalo to knock off the New York Jets to make the postseason.
Pittsburgh did its part despite a sloppy performance, and then earned a wild-card berth when the Bills shocked the Jets 22-17 in Orchard Park, New York.
Ben Roethlisberger threw for 349 yards, 187 to the sensational Antonio Brown, who had 13 catches and a TD.
The Browns (3-13) ended another losing season in disarray and doubt.
Owner Jimmy Haslam, who vowed in August that he wouldn’t “blow things up” will likely clean house, ousting coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer.
Pettine went just 10-22 in two seasons, losing 18 of his final 21 games.
Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, host Tim Lambert will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth.
