RAY-RAY MCCLOUD

It sounded like wishful thinking at best. “I'm capable of talking myself in(to) anything,” Mike Tomlin said last week when asked about the seemingly unlikely series of events the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to unfold if they wanted to navigate their way to the playoffs. Over the past four months, through injuries, uncharacteristically lopsided losses and a series of wins whose only saving grace was the final score — oh and that comical tie with Detroit — Tomlin's message has not changed.

Steelers Chiefs Football Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward (35) intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (14) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. — (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, Byron Pringle caught two of the TD passes, and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-10 on Sunday to clinch their sixth consecutive AFC West title. The Chiefs (11-4) remained a game ahead of Tennessee for first place in the AFC with their eighth straight win. Clyde Edwards-Helaire had a touchdown run for Kansas City before leaving early in the second half with a collarbone injury. The Chiefs went 73 yards on their opening possession with Edwards-Helaire bouncing off Robert Spillane for the touchdown.

Chris Boswell's 40-yard field goal with 26 seconds left lifted the Pittsburgh Steelers past the Chicago Bears 29-27.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell (24) runs away from Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker L.J. So while the Steelers stayed perfect with a disjointed 19-14 win over the undermanned Ravens in the first NFL game on a Wednesday in eight years, their play was anything but. “To be bluntly honest, I’m really disappointed in our performance tonight,” he said after Pittsburgh improved to 11-0. But the Steelers were able to drain the clock behind a third-down grab by James Washington, eliminating the Ravens from repeating as AFC North champions. “The way the game went, obviously we wanted to win,” Griffin said.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (14) returns a punt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)NEW YORK – After some recent close games, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't need nine lives to get to 9-0. The Steelers dominated the Cincinnati Bengals 36-10 on Sunday to remain the league's only unbeaten team and maintain control of the top spot of the latest AP Pro32 poll. “And the Steelers are in the conversation for teams that have a chance to dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC. “It’s the Steelers and Chiefs ... and everybody else,” said Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk.