Bengals still lead the way, as the Steelers look playoff ready

Article by Gordon Dedman

Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens

Chasing a wildcard spot, the Chiefs couldn’t afford to lose this game and they didn’t. Both teams scored on their opening drives, but that was the only time Baltimore were in the game before a fumble, a disastrous fake punt and an interception handed 21 points and a 34-14 victory to the Chiefs.

Having begun the season 1-5, the Chiefs have put themselves in a good position for a playoff spot and earned a place in the NFL record book as the only team to follow a 5-game losing streak with 8 consecutive wins.

Cleveland Browns at Seattle Seahawks

Johnny Manziel showed he can get it done when he led the Browns on their opening drive of 80 yards that finished with his 7-yard touchdown pass to Gary Barnidge. Then the Browns showed they can’t when they only gained another 150 yards as the Seahawks rolled over them 30-13.

Seattle clinched a playoff spot for the seventh time in ten years while the Browns haven’t seen any post season action for twelve years.

"The margin of error against a team like the Seahawks is slim and, at the end of the day, we weren't good enough," Browns Coach Mike Pettine offered.

Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers

With the Steelers you certainly get entertainment. Denver had not scored a touchdown on their previous 23 drives, but against Pittsburgh, after fumbling their first possession away they scored on their next four.

The Steelers are a conundrum. Having given up 27 points and 295 yards in a first half that Denver dominated, Pittsburgh looked to be heading for defeat. The Steelers then fought back valiantly in the final thirty minutes.

While preventing the Broncos from adding to their score, Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes to his favourite target Antonio Brown and one to Markus Wheaton. Brown finished with 189 yards receiving despite Pittsburgh struggling with their ground game. The Steelers 34-27 win keeps them in the playoff chase.

Cincinnati Bengals at San Francisco 49ers

Making his first start for the Bengals, AJ McCarron gained his first win after a tentative beginning. Following a scoreless first quarter, Cincinnati scored three unanswered touchdowns in the second period taking advantage of San Francisco miscues.

The Bengals 24-14 win gave the team an 11-3 record and confirmed a playoff berth for a franchise record fifth straight year.