The Browns, meanwhile, slipped to 3-12, their worst record since 2000, the second year of the expansion era. Punter Andy Lee was steady with an average of 46.7 yards on 70 punts. He threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and was sacked seven times. They did the best they could with what they had to work with and threw a combined 20 touchdown passes. He was not sacked.
Advertisement
Given the Steelers inability to run the ball, it’s hardly a surprise that Roethlisberger threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns-or that wide receiver Antonio Brown had a huge game.
Brown caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger with 58 seconds left in the half. The Browns will have the No. 2 pick.
It was the final straw for Cleveland owner Jim Haslam, who fired both general manager Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine following the game. If not, it will happen on Monday.
Fortunately for the Steelers, the Browns turned it over more. That a spot in the playoffs – any spot really – is all they required to prove they were as good as the sum of their considerably talented if occasionally erratic parts. Gruden has also made it clear that he loves Manziel, whom Pettine has admitted has problems that need to be addressed in the offseason. He is in the concussion protocol system and would not have been permitted on the sideline Sunday, but his decision to go to Vegas the night before a game when he could have waited until Monday might jeopardize his future with the team. Kelly interviewed with the Browns three years ago, but spurned their overtures and took the Eagles job instead. Pittsburgh-based restaurant chain Primanti Brothers rewarded the Bills for the assist by sending an order of sandwiches – complete with French fries and cole slaw on top – to Buffalo as a “thank you”.
Make no mistake. It would be a folly to count this Steelers team out. He’s now an assistant in Jacksonville.
“Although I wish I could have brought more wins to the franchise for the passionate fans of this great city, I will have many fond memories to cherish from my time in Cleveland”, Pettine said.
After the two players engaged in a little bit of hand fighting at the end of the return by Craig Robertson, Roethlisberger attempted to end things with what looks like a DDT, a famous wrestling finishing move.
The Browns, trailing 14-9 in the third quarter, had a chance to take a lead after linebacker Craig Robertson intercepted a pass by Roethlisberger. Chris Boswell kicked a 21-yard field goal. There was no other way for the Steelers to move the ball but through the air, and because of Brown, the Steelers did it. The Steelers also overcame a dropped interception and a missed field goal before the break.
Most experts didn’t believe Buffalo would have enough motivation to outlast a Jets team that surely had all it needed to play well enough to win and advance to the postseason for the first time since 2010.
Advertisement
Three plays later, Harrison jumped in front of an Austin Davis pass in the middle of the pack, 1 yard deep in the end zone, and picked it off. He returned it only 6 yards this time, to the 5, but it was a turning point.
