Tuesday 5 January 2016

Steelers claim Wild Card spot with tough win; Bengals will host them next week

Article by Gordon Dedman


Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

This game wasn’t as straightforward for the Steelers as the score line reflects. Although Pittsburgh took a 14-9 lead at the half, they didn’t find the going easy against a team with only three victories on the season.

The Browns totally dominated the second and third quarters in time of possession, but failed to transfer that superiority into points. They could only kick two field goals while the Steelers manged to put together one drive of eighty yards in six plays that took just 58 seconds finishing with Antonio Brown’s 17-yard touchdown catch.


Two Cleveland fumbles in the final period helped the Steelers to add eleven points and take a 28-12 victory that earned them the sixth seed wildcard spot with the Jets losing in Buffalo. As expected, the poor season for the Browns saw them part ways with their head coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer.

Since the seventies, Pittsburgh fans have never known the barren years that Browns fans have experienced. Cleveland fans would die for a 10-6 record while Steeler fans believe nothing less than a Super Bowl win completes a season.

The major concern for the Steelers was DeAngelo Williams going off with an ankle injury. Pittsburgh’s playoff progress was dashed last season with an injury to Le’Veon Bell, which is why they brought Williams in. If absent next weekend, it could affect their ability to overcome the division champions.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

The Ravens were rewarded with only three field goals as they dictated the opening half of this game while Cincinnati struck late with Tyler Eifert’s thirteenth touchdown for the season.


In the final two quarters, the Bengals and AJ McCarron found their feet aided by two Ryan Mallett interceptions. The Bengals added touchdowns from AJ Green and Jeremy Hill plus a field goal to take the 24-16 win. With Denver’s defeat of San Diego, Cincinnati finished as the AFC’s third seed to host the Steelers.

"It's a great matchup and a great rivalry and we are excited," said McCarron looking forward to the wildcard game. "We are just excited about getting to play in the playoffs, especially a game at home, and to make the most of it."

Most Cincinnati fans will be hoping that Andy Dalton returns from injury, but it won’t be any bonus if his broken thumb hasn’t healed properly.

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