The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 26-14 in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's likely final home game as he capped an 18-year career with the team.
Six-time Pro Bowler Roethlisberger passed for a touchdown and had 123 yards (24/46 passes) through the air, which was less than the Browns' Baker Mayfield, who passed for 185 yards, at Heinz Field.
Diontae Johnson scored the Steelers' first touchdown in the second quarter and Najee Harris scored the second with only seconds left on the game clock.
The Browns only made it onto the scoreboard in the third quarter, as David Njoku made an impressive leaping grab to score a touchdown that was converted by Chase McLaughlin.
The Browns looked like they might make a comeback when Harrison Bryant scored to make it 19-14, but the visitors could not close the gap before Harris cemented the Steelers' win.
Big Ben takes a final lap around Heinz Field.
— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2022
What a moment for Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/AzU1AtwkFI
T.J. Watt recorded a career-high four of his team's nine sacks and took over the NFL lead with 21.5 as Pittsburgh (8-7-1) remained in the AFC wild-card mix. Watt is one sack off the official all-time record set by Michael Strahan in 2001.
The Steelers are a half-game behind the Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers (all 9-7) entering the final week of the regular season.
With the four teams chasing two post-season spots, The Steelers are at division rivals Baltimore (who retain a slim chance at 8-8), the Colts are away to the lowly Jaguars (2-14) and the Raiders and Chargers face one another on Sunday night in Las Vegas.
Cleveland (7-9) have been eliminated from contention.
