The Steelers went into Sunday’s regular season finale against the Cleveland Browns needing a win and a little help to extend their season into the playoffs.
Needing the Patriots and Dolphins to not win their games against the Bills and Jets, respectively, the Steelers also had to take care of business on their own against Cleveland.
Najee Harris took that on his shoulders, rushing for 83 yards on 23 carries, while the Steelers also sacked Cleveland quarterback DeShaun Watson seven times and intercepted him twice to beat the Browns, 28-14, Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.
It was all for naught, however, as the Dolphins edged the Jets, 11-6, in Miami moments before the Steelers’ game ended, getting a 50-yard field goal from placekicker Jason Sanders with 18 seconds remaining.
“All we could focus on was winning this game,” said Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward. “Obviously, we needed help, and you never want to give another team control of your destiny.”
The Steelers finish their season at 9-8, going 7-2 after a 2-6 start. They tied the Patriots for the second-longest streak in NFL history with 19 consecutive non-losing seasons.
“I’m appreciative of the efforts today. I’m appreciative of the efforts all year,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “We’re an evolving group, and that evolution continued today.
“Hopefully, we learn something. Hopefully, we taught others something in the midst of our journey.”
The lesson was that you never give up on a season, even when things don’t necessarily go your way early.
One of those games that didn’t go Pittsburgh’s way came early in the season against Cleveland. And the Steelers enacted a bit of revenge for that 29-17 loss and greeted Watson, who had been suspended for the first meeting, to the Steelers-Browns rivalry.
The Steelers outrushed the Browns, 148-134, and harassed Watson throughout the game, as Alex Highsmith had 2.5 sacks and Cam Heyward had 2.0 to put him over 10 for the season.
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