Browns Push Steelers to No.3 in AFC, Bills Smash Dolphins

Pittsburgh Steelers lost in Cleveland against the Browns, while Buffalo Bills demolished the Miami Dolphins. The Bills are now second in the AFC conference, while Steelers took the third spot. 

Browns in the Playoffs After 18 Years

Cleveland Browns won against the big rivals from Pittsburgh, 24-22, clinching a playoff berth for the first time since 2002. Though, they suffered a scare in the final moments, with Mason Rudolph throwing a TD to JuJu Smith-Schuster with 1:23 until the end. At that point, the result was 24-22 for the hosts, with the note that Pittsburgh missed two-point conversion in a crucial situation. 

Baker Mayfield had 196 yards for one TD, suffering four sacks. Nick Chubb ran for 108 yards and a TD, while Jarvis Landry had 51 receiving yards, but posted one rushing score. Austin Coopper scored the third TD for the home team. 

“It’s a moment I’ll never forget,” Mayfield said. “But we’re not satisfied. We expected to be here.”

On the other side, the Steelers appeared without Ben Roethlisberger. Mason Rudolph started the game, playing pretty solid, with two touchdown passes and one pick, but for 315 yards. Once again, the Steelers’ running game turned out to be terrible, with the visitors posting 85 yards on the ground. 

Chase Claypool had 101 yards in five catches for a TD. Diontae Johnson, and 96.

The two sides will meet in the first round of the playoffs next week; only that match occurs at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. 

Bills Demonstrate Power

The Dolphins needed this win to stay in the playoff combination. It means that they had a death or life situation. What Brian Flores’ guys experienced tonight was way worse than death. The hosts trashed Miami 56-26. 

This was the second-highest number of points scored in the Bills history, and the guy who needs to be credited for that the most was Isaiah McKenzie, who had three touchdowns, two through the air, and one 84-yard punt return. 

The irony in everything was that the Dolphins led in after the end of the second period, 0-3 but allowed 28 points in the second 15 minutes. Josh Norman delivered one pick-six in the third, while Antonio Williams ran for two scores. Gabriel Davis, and John Brown, both had one TD apiece. Josh Allen threw three TD while Matt Barkley added one. Both Bills’ QB had one interception. 

On the other side, Ryan Fitzpatrick’s absence was felt right away. Tua Tagovaiola found himself under pressure right from the start, and it appears that the rookie felt what it is like to play harsh games among the pros. 

Tagovailoa had 361 yads but two one touchdowns and three picks. Salvon Ahmed and Lynn Bowden Jr both ran for a TD, and Malcolm Perry contributed with one through the air. In the moments when Tagovailoa looked vulnerable, there was no Fitzmagic who would either give him proper support. 

With this victory, the Dolphins would have been secured for the playoffs, but Flores’ side missed the ideal chance to solve its own destiny. They now have to wait for other results to end and to see whether they advance to the Wild Card round. 

As for the Bills, they await the rival in the AFC Wild Card round. There are several teams in the option, and it would be very interesting to witness that match.