Steelers defeat Browns 28-14, but miss the 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 consecutive season without losing under Mike Tomlin. This was aided by a 7-2 final. Pittsburgh’s 2-6 record included injuries to star linebacker T.J. Watt as well as rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett’s rise to the starter’s job at halftime following a Week 4 loss against the Jets.

Pickett completed 13 out of 29 passes for 295 yards and a touchdown. He also avoided an interception for the sixth consecutive time in seven appearances.

To ensure that the Steelers finished ahead of the Browns (7-10), Pittsburgh’s defense dismissed Deshaun Watson seven more times.

Since 1999, Cleveland has experienced 17 seasons with 10 or more losses.

Watson was suspended for the first eleven games of the season after violating the league’s personal conduct policy. He connected on 19 of 29 passes, gaining 230 yards and two touchdowns. Two interceptions were also made by Watson. Both of these points were converted into Steelers points. Nick Chubb ran 77 yards, and caught a touchdown to join Jim Brown as the only Browns players to rush for more than 1,500 yards in a single season.

Pittsburgh ran off 20 straight points — 10 of them directly after turnovers — after spotting Cleveland an early touchdown. With 10:20 left, the Browns pulled within 20-14 after a 2-yard flip between Watson and Chubb.

Steelers responded with a 14 play, 75 yard drive that was completed by fullback Derek Watt at 4:39.

While the Steelers entered the finale still in the mix, Cleveland was looking toward 2023 following an uneven season in which the turmoil surrounding Watson’s status overshadowed the on-field product for long stretches.

The Browns will miss out on the playoffs for a second straight year, although coach Kevin Stefanski’s job appears safe. The same cannot be said of members of Stefanski’s staff. Defensive coordinator Joe Woods’ status could be in jeopardy as the unit was wildly inconsistent and awful against the run, even with Myles Garrett — whose 16 sacks tied his own club record — having another spectacular season.

INJURIES

Browns: CB Denzel Ward was injured in the shoulder and left the game at halftime. CB Denzel Wade was injured in his shoulder and did not play in half-time. Ward was not available for selection during the week. T Jedrick Wills was forced to retire with a leg injury in the last minute.

Steelers: WR Gunnar Oszewski was injured in his left leg during a third quarter jet sweep. C Mason Cole received an evaluation for a left leg injury, but did not miss a series. TE Pat Freiermuth was injured in the left leg during the fourth quarter.

KOSAR FRED

Bernie Kosar, a former Browns quarterback and Ohioan native, said that he was fired Sunday from the radio broadcast team. Kosar confessed earlier this week to placing a wager that the Browns would win the game. On January 1, Ohio legalized sports betting.

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