NFL Week 17: Packers top Lions despite Suh stomp of Rodgers and More! The Monday Morning Realist

Every Monday morning, Section 215’s Akiem Bailum gives an in-depth and unfiltered look at all of the latest sports news in The Monday Morning Realist. You can follow Akiem on Twitter @AkiemBailum.

Even with the majority of the playoff berths in both the AFC and NFC already determined, there was still much to be decided in terms of seeding. As most Week 17’s are, it certainly made for an interesting day of football watching and channel flipping, wouldn’t you agree, Realists?

Power Outage

Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel (10) throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, the San Diego Chargers were coming into their matchup vs. the Kansas City Chiefs at 9˗6, and were staring at the sixth seed in the playoffs ahead of the other three teams that were chasing them. One of them was those very Kansas City Chiefs and the other were the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens (more on the Ravens later).

After pulling off a miraculous 38˗35 victory (one that I flubbed up last week by listing it at 35˗34) on the road in Levi’s Stadium vs. the San Francisco 49ers ( a game in which Philip Rivers threw for 4 touchdowns), one would think the Chargers would ride that momentum into their game vs. their arch rival Chiefs.

Those very Chiefs were also short handed as thanks to Alex Smith’s injury, had to turn to Chase Daniels to potentially save their season. A no brainer, San Diego would beat KC handily and clinch the sixth seed.

But, as we all know, this is why they play the games.

San Diego struggled on their first offensive series as they only managed one first down prior to punting. Daniels and the Chiefs followed that up with an efficient possession lasting 11 plays, 54 yards, and over six minutes, including four first down gains. Cairo Santos’ 43 yard field goal was good for a 3˗0 early lead for Kansas City.

The Chargers, again, had a drive in which they would only manage one first down, but that would come via a 2nd and 9 play from the 21 that resulted in a 30 yard completion from Rivers to Eddie Royal, but the drive stalled at midfield. Kansas City would have possession going into the second quarter.

They would maintain possession for five first downs, including one for 20 yards on a pass from Daniels to Travis Kelce. The 9 play, 94 yard drive that lasted over four minutes resulted in what would have been a touchdown pass from Daniels to Dwayne Bowe for the first TD by a Chiefs wideout all year, but Bowe was ruled to have fumbled before the football crossed the plane. Luckily for the Chiefs, Kelce was in the end zone to recover the Bowe miscue and the Chiefs still went ahead 10˗0.

San Diego responded by gaining three firsts on their following possession, including one in which Rivers found Royal for 44 yards from the Chiefs’ 45 to the 1 yard line on 1st and 10. On the following play, Branden Oliver found the end zone from one yard out to bring the score to 10˗7.

A three and out for the Chiefs was followed by a drive in which San Diego was held to only one first down gain before punting. Then, De’Anthony Thomas had a huge play on special teams when he returned a Chargers punt to the 8 yard line.

But, San Diego held with the goal line only eight yards away and made Kansas City settle for Santos’ second field goal of the game (21 yards) to bring the tally to 13˗7.

The Chargers were held to only one first down on their following series, which was followed by another Chiefs drive that gave them points. Off another big return from Thomas to give Kansas City possession at midfield, the Chiefs gained a pair of first downs, including one in which Daniel threw to Kelce for 24 yards on 1st and 10 from the San Diego 36 to the 12. But, again, the San Diego defense made Kansas City settle for 3, as a 27 yard field goal via Santos was good for a 16˗7 score.

The final Chargers possession of the half would see one first down pickup and one interception. Rivers was picked off on a 1st and 10 play at their own 35 by Kurt Coleman on a pass intended for Royal. The final play of the half would be a kneel down by Daniel.

Kansas City would have the football to start the second half, but only gained one first down. San Diego then ran three plays on its first series of the half, with the third being a Rivers fumble off a Justin Houston sack. Joe Mays recovered the fumble.

The Chiefs gained one first down, but despite their field position, could not cross the end zone. So, a drive that concluded at the 13 after getting as far as the 5 would result in another Santos field goal. His 31 yarder was good. 19˗7 Chiefs at Arrowhead.

After trading three and outs, San Diego had the ball again with 4:36 remaining in the third. Two first downs would be gained including a 2nd and 21 from the SD 43 in which Rivers threw to Antonio Gates for 21 yards to the KC 36. They were then in a 4th and 8 situation at the 34, but Nick Novak’s 52 yard field goal try was wide left.
This gave Kansas City possession as the third quarter ended and the fourth quarter began.

Only one first down was picked up here, but it was on a big play as Daniel found Thomas for 30 yards on 3rd and 3 at the Chiefs’ 49. This put the football at the San Diego 21. But after losing 12 yards combined on the ensuing three plays (including a 10 yard illegal use of hands flag), this made the field goal try for Santos further. His 50 yarder was no good.

The Chargers then put together a drive that lasted 11 plays, 57 yards, and 3:45. It looked like it would result in six points when Rivers found Royal in the end zone from 3 yards on 2nd and goal from the 3, but after a review, the play was ruled incomplete. The next two plays (both Rivers passes) were also incompletions.

Off a three and out by Kansas City, San Diego’s offense took the field again. They had gained a pair of first downs, plus a 2nd and 1 play at the Chiefs’ 20 yard line. But after a Rivers incompletion plus two plays in which the Chiefs’ defensive line stopped Donald Brown for no gain (including one on 4th down), the turnover on downs gave Kansas City possession again.

Three runs by the Chiefs’ Knile Davis would also see the Chargers burn their last two timeouts prior to a punt. The Chargers had gained three first downs and had got the football to the Kansas City 10 yard line (and later to the 5). The first and 10 play saw Rivers picked off by Sean Smith on a pass intended for Dontrelle Inman, but Kansas City’s Allen Bailey was flagged for offsides.

Then, off a San Diego false start, a 1st and 10 play from the 10 saw Rivers looking for Gates in the end zone, but was picked off by Coleman for a touchback and a game winner for Kansas City, with both teams finishing 9˗7.

• Daniel: 16/27, 157 yards
• Charles: 13 carries, 54 yards
• Kelce: 7 receptions, 84 yards

• Rivers: 20/34, 291 yards, 2 INTs
• Oliver: 14 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD
• Royal: 4 receptions, 95 yards

Three for One Deal

Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) catches a long pass to set up a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Football aficionados in Kansas City, MO/KS may not have liked what eventually ensued in the Baltimore Ravens/Cleveland Browns matchup at M&T Bank Stadium in the Charm City, but fans in BMore loved the result of the Chargers/Chiefs tilt.

Why? Because the Ravens weren’t in a win˗and˗in scenario ala the Chargers. While San Diego had blown its, now a Baltimore win coupled with the San Diego loss would have clinched the sixth seed in the postseason for the Ravens along with putting three teams in the AFC North in the playoffs.

Cleveland was already well eliminated from postseason contention and were ending the season in typical Browns fashion. Injuries had already plagued both Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel, now there were more transgressions involving Josh Gordon that resulted from a party thrown by Manziel.

So much for Manziel saying that he would treat the NFL a bit more “seriously” than he was.

Ladies and gentlemen, your Cleveland Browns starting quarterback: Connor Shaw.

Shaw and the Browns would not start the game with possession. Baltimore did. But both Ravens and Browns traded a pair of three and outs to start the game. The Ravens had a chance to go ahead at least by 3 on their ensuing series later in the first quarter. They gained three first downs, one of them courtesy of a Joe Flacco pass to Justin Forsett for 21 yards to the Cleveland 12 yard line. The play was on 3rd and 7 at the Browns’ 33.

Despite forcing first and goal at the 2 and a 4th and goal situation at the one, the Browns defense denied Baltimore.

The next three series overall would be three and outs before Baltimore regained possession with over 11 minutes left in the first half. Two first downs would be picked up including a 2nd and 10 at the Ravens 42 that was a 32 yard run by Forsett. The 9 play, 51 yard drive lasting three and a half minutes resulted in a Justin Tucker field goal from 25 yards out after a drive that stalled at the 7 for an early 3˗0 Ravens lead.

The Browns answered with a drive in which they would gain three first downs, the first of which being a 36 yard run by Terrance West on 1st and 10 from the Browns’ 25 to the Ravens’ 39. The play was reviewed to confirm that West was in bounds and he was.

That drive lasted 10 plays, 55 yards, and 5:33 and resulted in a 38 yard field goal by Garrett Hartley to tie the score.

Baltimore only gained one first down on their ensuing series, and had forced 3rd and 3 at Cleveland’s 35, but were forced back for a fumble (that the Ravens eventually recovered) for a 22 yard loss to put them out of field goal range for Tucker. This led to a punt and two Cleveland kneel downs to close out the half.

To start the second half, the Browns did pick up four first downs, and did advance the football into Baltimore territory at the 39 before being driven back by the Ravens defense to the Browns’ 45. This included two sacks of Shaw for a combined 11 yards (Pernelle McPhee for 2 on 2nd and 15 from the Baltimore 44 and DeAngelo Tyson for 9 on 3rd and 17 at the 46).

The Ravens only gained one first down on their ensuing series. This was followed by a Cleveland drive in which they gained three first downs, including on a 3rd and 5 play from the Browns’ 49 that saw Shaw find Taylor Gabriel for 49 yards. One play later, West got the remaining two yards on 1st and goal from the two as Cleveland went ahead 10˗3.
That drive lasted 7 plays, 80 yards, and 3:53.

Two first downs would be gained on Baltimore’s ensuing possession. One was on 1st and 10 from the Ravens’ 24 that saw Flacco find Steve Smith for 21 yards to the 45. Then, on 2nd and 10 from the 45, Flacco found Crockett Gilmore for his only catch of the game for 22 yards to the Browns’ 33. But the drive would stall at Browns 38, prompting a punt.

One first down would be gained on Cleveland’s next drive prior to a punt back to the Ravens, who would gain three first downs on their next drive. This included a connection between Flacco and Owen Daniels for 39 yards to the 15 of the Browns after 1st and 10 at the 46. After 4th and 5 at the 10, Tucker was brought onto the field for a 28 yard field goal which was good for a 10˗6 score.

After a 3 and out by Cleveland, Baltimore’s next drive lasted only two plays. The first was a long bomb by Flacco for 53 yards to Torrey Smith on 1st and 10 from the Ravens’ 31. This moved the chains to the 16 yard line. One play later, Flacco found Smith again for those 16 yards and a 13˗10 Ravens lead.

Baltimore with momentum then forced Cleveland into another three and out to put the Ravens’ offense back on the field. They gained a pair of first downs. The first was a Forsett run for 27 yards to the Browns’ 30 on 1st and 10 at the Ravens’ 47. Then on 2nd and 7 from the Browns’ 27, Flacco found Smith for 24 yards to the 3 yard line to bring up 1st and goal. A 3rd and goal from the 2 saw Flacco find Kamar Aiken for those 3 yards and a touchdown to make the score 20˗10.

That drive lasted 6 plays, 57 yards and 3:16.

The following Browns drive saw them gain a pair of first downs and had only moved the football to their own 45 before a 3rd and 10 from the 45 saw Shaw picked off by Lardarius Webb for his first pick of the year. The interception occurred at the Ravens’ 32.

The Ravens gained three first downs on their final drive of the game, including one in which Forsett ran for 26 yards on 1st and 10 from the Ravens’ 46 to the Browns’ 28. The Browns burned two of their timeouts, but the third first down gain which was on 2nd and 7 from the Cleveland 25 was an 8 yard run by Forsett made it academic. Two kneel downs later, Baltimore clinched a playoff berth.

• Flacco: 22/36, 312 yards, 2 TDs
• Forsett: 17 carries, 119 yards
• Smith: 8 receptions, 90 yards

• Shaw: 14/28, 177 yards, 1 INT
• West: 18 carries, 94 yards
• Gabriel: 3 receptions, 66 yards

R˗E˗T˗U˗R˗N

Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

As for Green Bay and Detroit, these two rivals in the NFC North had already both clinched playoff berths. What was to be settled was which team would earn itself the 2nd seed along with a first round bye and which team would have to travel to (likely) Dallas as a sixth seed.

Everything about this matchup said advantage Green Bay Packers. It was at Lambeau in the cold and snowy weather which is an advantage to Aaron Rodgers and his team. Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions are a dome team so they are less effective in the elements.

Plus, the Lions have had a hard time in their recent memory in their excursions to the Frozen Tundra in the past.
That would not change, but it almost did thanks to unfortunate circumstances.

After a Detroit three and out, Green Bay took the field on their home turf. The Packers had gained four first downs, including two plays of over 20 yards. One was the first offensive play of the game for Green Bay when Eddie Lacy advanced the football 22 yards on 1st and 10 from the Packers’ 37 to the 41 of the Lions.

Later on a 1st and 10 from the Detroit 28, James Starks went 21 yards to force first and goal at the 7. But, despite being in position for at least 3 points, they went for it when the Lions defense force 4th and goal at the one. Lacy was stopped short, which equaled a turnover on downs.

The following Lions drive had only resulted in the gain of one first down before punting. Then, Green Bay notched its first big play on special teams when Micah Hyde took a punt return 55 yards the other way for the game’s first touchdown. Then a Mason Crosby extra point gave the Pack a 7˗0 lead.

This was followed by a Lions possession in which they would gain four first downs, including one in which Stafford found Eric Ebron for 22 yards to the Packers’ 36 on 2nd and 13 from the Lions’ 32. But the drive had stalled at the Packers’ 37: out of field goal range.

Green Bay then gained a quartet of first downs on their following possession, including an Aaron Rodgers pass to Jordy Nelson for 22 yards to the 26 yard line of the Lions. On the next play, Lacy gained eight yards, but James Ihedigbo forced a fumble that was recovered by George Johnson at the Lions’ 17.

The Lions then proceeded to gain 3 first downs on their following drive and advance the football to the Packers’ 31 yard line. But up against 4th and 10 at the 31, they went for it instead of kicking a field goal and the result was an incomplete pass to Ebron from Stafford. Turnover on downs.

Three first downs also were gained by the Packers on their following series, including when Rodgers found Randall Cobb on 1st and 10 at the 43 of Detroit to the 9 of the Lions for 34 yards. Two plays later, Rodgers connected with Cobb again for a touchdown to make the score 14˗0, but Packer fans everywhere held their collective breath as Rodgers was down on the field with what turned out to be a reaggravation of his calf injury.

It was news that had the potential to change the entire complexion of the playoffs in the NFC.

Four first downs would be gained by the Lions on their ensuing possession. Eventually, they would cap off an 8 play, 77 yard drive lasting two minutes when Matthew Stafford found Calvin Johnson for a 20 yard touchdown on 1st and 10 at the Packers’ 20. Matt Prater’s extra point was good. 14˗7.

With Matt Flynn at QB, Green Bay ran only one play prior to the halftime period.

They would get possession first to begin the second half, but it only resulted in a three and out. Detroit then marched down the field again that saw them gain four more first downs. Their drive lasted 11 plays, 51 yards, and 5:21, but again would see Stafford hit Megatron for a TD, this time for only 4 yards to tie the score at 14.

Then, Rodgers reentered the game, albeit with limited mobility. The ensuing drive saw a pair of first down gains, including when Rodgers found Cobb for a 29 yard gain on 1st and 10 from the Lions 48 to the 19. The touchdown would be for 13 yards on 3rd and 4 at the 13 when Rodgers found Cobb again as Green Bay retook the lead at 21˗14. That drive lasted 7 plays for 60 yards and 4:01.

After a Detroit three and out, the Packers had possession again. Their following drive would see three first down gains and would last from the end of the third quarter to the beginning of the fourth quarter. It would also see a chance for Green Bay to extend its lead as they had got into field goal range for Mason Crosby but his 52 yard attempt was no good.

Then, the ensuing Lions drive would only last one play as 1st and 10 from the Lions 42 would see a Stafford fumble and recovery by Morgan Burnett at the 42.

Three first downs, 9 plays, 42 yards, and 4:43 later, Rodgers would keep the ball himself on a 2nd and goal at the 1 yard line. The QB keeper resulted in a touchdown to culminate that drive. 28˗14.

The Lions got two first downs on their following drive including one in which Stafford found Jeremy Ross for 20 yards on 1st and 10 at the Lions’ 25 to the 45. Said drive stalled at the 37 of the Packers after four straight incompletions, including one on 4th and 10.

Green Bay only gained one first down prior to a punt back to Detroit, but after the only play of the ensuing Lions drive saw Stafford get flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone, the play resulted in a safety to extend the Green Bay lead to 30˗14.

The following kickoff would be to Randall Cobb at the Detroit 48 yard line, but he muffed it and it was recovered by Cassius Vaughn at the 44 yard line of the Packers.

Detroit gained a pair of first downs including one that was a Stafford pass to Theo Riddick for 21 yards to the 23 of Green Bay. Riddick was also on the receiving end of a six yard pass from Stafford to bring the score to 30˗20, but needing a two˗point conversion, it was originally ruled a success before being ruled a failed attempt.

Detroit used up its remaining timeouts with the Packers simply trying to milk clock and keep the ball on the ground with Lacy. After the three and out, the Lions ran two more plays, one of which turned out to be a sack of Stafford for 9 yards. He then threw to Riddick for a 3 yard gain on 2nd and 19 from the 11, but the game was over. Green Bay had won their fourth straight NFC North title plus a two seed.

Also, one element that should get a lot of attention: when Ndamukong Suh either intentionally or unintentionally stepped on Rodgers’ bum calf. Given his history, one cannot help but question if that was on purpose. If Detroit’s chances of defeating Dallas the following week were already slim enough, they may just get slimmer as he and the Lions may get a stern call from Park Avenue before the week is over.

Given Suh’s reputation throughout the league as a dirty player, this will not help with other players and fans, especially those of Green Bay. There have already been calls for Suh to be kicked off the Lions or even kicked out the league. In addition, some defensive players feel the NFL intentionally legislates against defenses because offensive stars are the big jersey sellers around the league. Suh’s actions only give more weight to the NFL to put more restrictions on what defenses can and cannot do.

In other words, Suh is ruining the NFL for defenses possibly more than what the league already has.

• Rodgers: 17/22, 226 yards, 2 TDs
• Lacy: 26 carries, 100 yards
• Nelson: 6 receptions, 86 yards

• Stafford: 20/41, 217 yards, 3 TDs
• Bell: 13 carries, 60 yards
• Tate: 3 receptions, 45 yards

Sour Peaches

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Realists, this is one that I will be eating crow on for a long time.

When NBC announced that they had flexed the Cincinnati Bengals/Pittsburgh Steelers matchup instead of the one between the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome that was to decide the NFC South, I was floored.

After all, that matchup had lost some of its meaning when the Bengals clinched a playoff berth by defeating the Denver Broncos the previous week on Monday Night Football. But Carolina vs. Atlanta was a winner take all matchup. The winner would advance to the postseason and get to host a playoff game as a division winner, loser goes home.

After the Panthers had bested the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Falcons crushed their rival New Orleans Saints at the SuperDome last week, this one appeared to be a toss-up. Some even felt the Falcons would ride this momentum into Atlanta and defeat Carolina to clinch that last playoff berth in the NFC.

But others were more cynical and felt that there should be a firing of Mike Smith even if the Falcons were to win.
Those detractors had more of a reason to call for the head coach’s head after this game.

The Panthers began possession with the football and would engineer a drive that saw five first downs, 12 plays overall, 77 yards, and 7:10. The result of it was a 4th and 2 from the 3 that saw Graham Gano nail a 21 yard field goal through the uprights for an early 3˗0 lead.

Atlanta managed a pair of first downs on its following possession before eventually punting back to Carolina after a drive that stalled at the Panthers’ 42.

A quartet of first downs would be picked up on the ensuing Carolina possession, including one in which Philly Brown, on a 3rd and 1 from the Panthers’ 38 went 28 yards to the Falcons’ 34. The 10 play, 87 yard, 4:45 drive would see Cam Newton find Ed Dickson for a five yard score for a touchdown, Dickson’s only reception of the game to make the score 10˗0.

Then a Gano kick to Devin Hester would see him return the football 66 yards to the Carolina 38. Two first downs, 10 plays, 35 yards, and 4:28 later after 1st and goal from the 7 (and 4th from the 3), a 21 yard field goal by Matt Bryant was good for a 10˗3 tally.

Then, both teams traded three and outs which was followed by Carolina gaining only one first down on its following possession. That was from Newton to Brown ona 28 yard pass to the 46 from 2nd and 7 from the Panthers’ 18.

Three plays into Atlanta’s ensuing drive on 2nd and 20 at the 9, Ryan when attempting to throw to Roddy White instead found Roman Harper at the Falcons’ 31. 31 yard later, it was a Pick 6 for a 17˗3 lead.

Four plays into the ensuing posseesion for the Falcons again, Ryan found Roddy White for what would have been a 20 yard gain on 1st and 10 from the 22. But, White fumbled and it was caused by Adarius Glanton. Thomas Davis was on the recovery.

That football was advanced to the four after a penalty assessed against the Falcons’ Jacquizz Rodgers for a low block. One play later, Newton found the end zone on a QB keeper from 4 yards out. 24˗3.

The Falcons then only gained one first down on its next drive prior to a punt. Carolina ran only one play before the end of the half on its following possession.

A Falcons three and out to begin the second half was followed by an 8 play, 29 yard, 4:35 drive for the Panthers. That included a pair of first downs and it ended with a Gano field goal from 48 yards out. The score became 27˗3.

The two teams then traded 3 and outs which was followed by a long Atlanta drive which could be the beginning of a comeback. This included four first down gains on a 13 play, 58 yard drive lasting 5:39 and an interception return for a TD being nullified by a penalty on Davis for illegal contact with a receiver after 5 yards. That was on 3rd and 10 at the Falcons’ 38.

But, on 4th and 5 from the Panthers’ 36, Ryan on a pass intended for Harry Douglas instead found Tre Boston at the Panthers’ 16. 84 yards later, it was a Pick 6. 34˗3 Carolina. A Gano kickoff back to the Falcons ended the third quarter.

Atlanta gained three first downs on their following possession which was an 11 play, 47 yard, 4:07 drive, but needing touchdowns and not field goals, they went for it on 4th down and 18 from the Carolina 23. This resulted in a sack of Ryan by Star Lotulelei.

The following Panthers drive lasted three first downs, 11 plays, 41 yards, and 8:25, but a 4th down and 8 play from the Falcons’ 35 was only good for 4 yards on a Fozzy Whittaker run.

Atlanta gained two first downs on its ensuing drive and the last play of the season would be a 17 yard run by Rodgers to the Panthers’ 24 on a 1st and 10 from the Panthers’ 41. Game over. Panthers: repeat NFC South Champs.

• Newton: 10/16, 114 yards
• Newton: 6 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD
• Brown: 1 reception, 28 yards

• Ryan: 29/47, 260 yards, 2 INTs
• Rodgers: 9 carries, 44 yards
• White: 8 receptions, 104 yards

Injuries are Offensive

Dec 28, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton (11) returns a kickoff against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

This was the game that eventually was flexed for Sunday Night Football and it turns out that NBC had more brains on them than this guy did (meaning me).

Cincinnati had just come off an emphatic victory over the Denver Broncos at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincy in which they forced Peyton Manning into 4 interceptions. That surprising win that no one outside Cincinnati called had clinched a playoff berth for Marvin Lewis and the Browns.

As for the Pittsburgh Steelers, they also clinched a playoff berth the previous week by virtue of them beating the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field by a final of 20˗12 which put a dagger into KC’s playoff hopes. Those hopes were eventually dashed by virtue of Baltimore’s win over Cleveland in Week 17.

Whoever won this game would be AFC North Champions. Whoever lost would have to settle for a Wild Card berth and travel on the road for their first playoff game. Even though Pittsburgh knows a little bit about traveling on the road for playoff games en route to winning Super Bowls.

This one began with the Steelers having possession on a drive that saw only one first down gain: A 22 yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Le’Veon Bell on 1st and 10 at the Steelers’ 47. This was followed by a Cincinnati three and out which was followed by a punt return to Antonio Brown at the Steelers’ 29. Then, he returned that punt 71 yards for the first touchdown of the game. A Shaun Suisham extra point was good. 7˗0 Pittsburgh.

Three first downs would be gained by the Bengals on their ensuing possession, including on 1st and 10 at midfield, Jeremy Hill advancing the football to the 22 yard line of the Steelers for 28 yards. That drive gave out on 2nd and 10 from the Steelers’ 28 when Dalton, looking for A.J. Green instead found Brice McCain at the Steelers’ 5.

Off a Pittsburgh three and out, Cincinnati gained one first down on its ensuing drive, but it was one that lasted 7 plays, 42 yards, and 4:01 that resulted in an Andy Dalton pass to Giovani Bernard for a touchdown on 17 yards. Mike Nugent’s extra point was good. 7˗7.

The Steelers only gained one first down on their ensuing possession, but it was stymied by a Roethlisberger fumble at the 34 yard line and it was recovered by Wallace Gilberry on 3rd and 3 at the Pittsburgh 41.

Cincinnati ran two plays prior to the end of the first quarter.

Ultimately, they gained one more first down and after moving the football to the 21 yard line (but as far as the 17 of the Steelers), Nugent’s 39 yard field goal was good to bring the score to 10˗7.

Three first downs would be gained on Pittsburgh’s ensuing drive. One was on 3rd and 4 at the Steelers’ 38 that saw Roethlisberger throw to Heath Miller to the Bengals’ 42 for 20 yards. Then, a 1st and 10 play at the 42 saw Roethlisberger pass to Bell for 26 yards to the 16 of the Bengals. Ultimately, it was a 9 play, 69 yard drive that concluded with a 29 yard Suisham field goal to tie the score at 10.

The second play of the next series for Cincinnati was 2nd and 3 from their own 34. That would result in Dalton looking for Green, but was picked by McCain again. This pick was at the 41 yard line of Pittsburgh. 31 yards later, it was the 28 of the Bengals.

Two plays into the ensuing Steelers’ drive, Roethlisberger threw to Martavis Bryant for 21 yards and six points on 2nd and 3 from the 21. 17˗10.

After a possession that saw the Bengals gain only one first down, Pittsburgh then went on the move again. Five first downs, 11 plays, 70 yards, and 1:37 later despite getting the ball to the 7 yard line of Cincinnati, three more points were put on the scoreboard as Suisham’s 25 yard field goal was good for a 20˗10 Steelers advantage.

Dalton and his team ran two plays on their final possession of the first half.

The first drive of the 2nd half for the Bengals would see two first down gains, 11 plays, 38 yards, and 5:15, but a 50 yard field goal try from Nugent was no good after a drive that stalled at the Steelers’ 32.

Both teams then traded three and outs. Pittsburgh’s last drive of the third quarter saw two first down gains, then a 3rd and 9 play from the Bengals’ 30 that saw Roethlisberger picked at the 15 by Reggie Nelson on a pass intended for Brown. Earlier in that drive, Bell was also injured and his return was listed as doubtful.

The following Bengals drive saw six first down gains, 15 plays, 89 yards and lasted 7:29, ending in a Dalton pass to Jermaine Gresham for 5 yards and a TD on 2nd and goal from the 5. 20˗17.

The Steelers moved the football to the Bengals’ 45 on their next possession in addition to gaining three first downs, but a 4th and 9 play from the Cincinnati 45 was a fake punt attempt picked off by Dane Sanzenbacher at the Bengals’ 35.

Then, four plays into the following Cincinnati possession, a 1st and 10 from the 48 of Cincinnati resulted in Dalton looking for Green and finding him, but he put the football on the turf. Antwon Blake recovered at the Steelers’ 30, which also saw Green injured as well.

It took three plays for the Steelers to convert that turnover into points when on 3rd and 8 at the Steelers’ 37, Roethlisberger threw to Brown for 63 yards and a touchdown. 27˗17.

Cincinnati gained one first down on their following drive, and would later go for it on 4th down from their own 28 on 4th and 19. Dalton’s pass to Bernard was only for eight yards, plus an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was assessed against the Bengals.

The Steelers ran only two plays on their final possession, one of which was a Roethlisberger fumble that Pittsburgh recovered on 1st and 10 from the Bengals’ 21. A 2nd and 14 from the 25 (as a result of the fumble recovery was a kneel down). Pittsburgh: AFC North Champs. Cincinnati: Wild Card.

• Roethlisberger: 24/38, 317 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Bell: 8 carries, 21 yards
• Brown: 7 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD

• Dalton: 27/38, 244 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
• Hill: 23 carries, 100 yards
• Green: 8 receptions, 82 yards

Other Games

Dec 21, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; NFL footballs on the field before the game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys defeat Redskins 44˗17

Colts defeat Titans 27˗10

Texans defeat Jaguars 23˗17

Jets defeat Dolphins 37˗24

Vikings defeat Bears 13˗9

Bills defeat Patriots 17˗9

Eagles defeat Giants 34˗26

Saints defeat Buccaneers 23˗20

Broncos defeat Raiders 47˗14

49ers defeat Cardinals 20˗17

Seahawks defeat Rams 20˗6

Playoffs!

Jan 5, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; General view of the NFL Wild Card logo on the field before a game between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals during the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals at Panthers (Saturday, 4:45 PM, ESPN)

Ravens at Steelers (Saturday, 8:15 PM, ESPN)

Bengals at Colts (Sunday, 1:05 PM, CBS)

Lions at Cowboys (Sunday, 4:40 PM, Fox)

Patriots,Broncos, Seahawks, Packers byes