Skip to content

Steelers sneak into postseason; Colts eliminated after loss to Jags

Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Pittsburgh Steelers secured the final wild-card spot in the AFC after a drama-filled Week 18.

The Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 16-13 overtime victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday before clinching their position following the Las Vegas Raiders' thrilling win over the Los Angeles Chargers in OT on Sunday Night Football.

A draw between the Chargers and Raiders would have resulted in both teams making the playoffs while the Steelers would have missed out due to tiebreakers.

Pittsburgh's victory against Baltimore also officially eliminated the Indianapolis Colts following their shocking 26-11 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Needing to beat the lowly Jaguars to clinch a postseason berth, Indianapolis was unable to find a rhythm, totaling just 233 yards of offense and two turnovers.

Ben Roethlisberger engineered a 15-play, 65-yard game-winning drive to set up a 36-yard field goal by Chris Boswell to beat the Ravens in overtime. In what could potentially be the final regular-season game of his 18-year career, Roethlisberger finished with 244 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Pittsburgh started the season 1-3 but went 8-4-1 down the stretch to lock up its second straight playoff appearance.

"Man, we got a lot of warts, but we're here," head coach Mike Tomlin said postgame, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "That's been our position since September."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox