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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