Steelers beat Browns 28-14 but miss out on playoffs
PITTSBURGH — (AP) — Najee Harris ran for 84 yards and a touchdown and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 28-14 on Sunday but were eliminated from the playoffs when Miami edged the New York Jets. The Steelers (9-8) will have to settle for a 16th straight non-losing season under coach Mike Tomlin, fueled by a 7-2 finish. Pittsburgh's defense sacked Deshaun Watson seven times to assure the Steelers of finishing ahead of the Browns (7-10) in the standings for the 34th consecutive time. The Browns will miss out on the playoffs for a second straight year, although coach Kevin Stefanski’s job appears safe. ... C Mason Cole was evaluated for a left ankle injury in the third quarter but did not miss a series.
wftv.comJJ Watt, wife Kealia Watt welcome son Koa James
The Watt family has added another member to the team. >> Read more trending newsArizona Cardinals defensive end JJ Watt and his soccer pro wife, Kealia Watt, have welcomed their first child — a son named Koa James, People magazine reported. The Watt family, who has three pro-football players on their roster, has had a lot of celebrating this year. This summer, Pittsburgh Steeler T.J. Watt married All-American soccer star Dani Rhodes. Derek Watt, who also plays for the Steelers, and his wife Gabriella, also have two children, the Sentinel reported.
wftv.comRoethlisberger, Steelers top Browns to stay in playoff mix
Browns Steelers Football Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) takes the field before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger, now 39, has defined the franchise from the moment he took over for an injured Tommy Maddox as a rookie two weeks into the 2004 season. The sellout crowd roared as Roethlisberger jogged out onto the Heinz Field turf for the 135th time as the starting quarterback and began chanting “Let's Go Ben! Roethlisberger was careful to point out he had no plans to make the last two games of his 18th season ceremonial. Pittsburgh: Looks to sweep Baltimore for the second straight season on Sunday and get a little help elsewhere.
wftv.comJ.J. Watt, Texans ‘mutally’ agree to split in more team upheaval
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt leaves the field after a losing an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston. HOUSTON – J.J. Watt didn't just play for the Houston Texans, he was the Houston Texans. Now he's gone, and a team already in the midst of unprecedented upheaval faces a future suddenly even more bleak. “Simply put, there has been no person in the past decade who has made a greater impact on the Texans organization than J.J. Watt,” team co-founder and senior chair Janice McNair said. The fearsome pass rusher was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
Packers without leading rusher Aaron Jones vs. Texans
Titans: CB Joshua Kalu, LB Derick Roberson, LB David Long Jr., OL Daniel Munyer, T Isaiah Wilson, DL Matt Dickerson. Washington: T Geron Christian, WR Isaiah Wright, DE James Smith Williams, WR Robert Foster, LB Thomas Davis, DE Casey Toohill. ___DETROIT AT ATLANTALions: QB David Blough, CB Desmond Trufant, S Miles Killebrew, OL Logan Stenberg, WR Quintez Cephus, RB Bo Scarbrough. ___GREEN BAY AT HOUSTONPackers: QB Jordan Love, CB Kevin King, S Darnell Savage, RB Tyler Ervin, RB Aaron Jones, T David Bakhtiari, DL Tyler Lancaster. Texans: WR Keke Coutee, CB John Reid, LB Peter Kalambayi, T Charlie Heck, TE Jordan Akins.
Falcons WR Julio Jones out again with hamstring injury
Jones had been listed as questionable after missing practice throughout the week with a hamstring injury. Even so, the winless Falcons’ secondary gets a boost with safeties Keanu Neal (hamstring) and Ricardo Allen (elbow) returning from injuries. ___PHILADELPHIA AT PITTSBURGHEagles: TE Hakeem Butler; RB Jason Huntley, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, QB Nate Sudfeld, DE Casey Toohill. Falcons: S Jaylinn Hawkins, WR Julio Jones, CB A.J. Ravens: RB Justice Hill, WR Chris Moore, QB Trace McSorley, DT Broderick Washington, DT Justin Ellis, OL Tyre Phillips.
Steelers knock out Lock, hold off Driskel, Broncos 26-21
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) crosses the goal line for a touchdown on an 84-yard play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Steelers knock out Lock, hold off Driskel, Broncos 26-21
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)PITTSBURGH – A game seemingly in hand suddenly on the cusp of slipping away, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn't overthink things. Needing a stop to turn back the surprisingly resilient Denver Broncos, the Steelers dialed up one final blitz in an afternoon filled with them. So the Broncos (0-2) hung around despite losing starting quarterback Drew Lock (right shoulder) in the first quarter. The Steelers recovered and went downfield for a touchdown while Lock was in the blue medical tent getting evaluated. Still, he wasn't exactly thrilled on a day the Steelers never trailed but struggled to put the Broncos away.