The Titans’ fan base grew exponentially after Tennessee eliminated the Jaguars, who were eliminated from the playoffs after Sunday’s 28-20 loss. With the Titans’ win, the Steelers and Bills clinched a playoff berth (see the full playoff picture here).
The Steelers took care of business after beating Baltimore on Saturday. Buffalo (10-6) still has a chance to win the AFC East division crown — and the No. 2 seed that comes with it — if it can beat Miami on Sunday night.
This is the Steelers’ first playoff berth since 2021, which was also Ben Roethlisberger’s final season as Pittsburgh’s quarterback. Pittsburgh went 9-8 last year, but missed the playoffs when it didn’t get the help it needed in the final weekend of the regular season.
The Steelers’ playoff hopes this season were murky after a three-game losing streak dropped their record to 7-7. But Pittsburgh responded with three straight wins after coach Mike Tomlin inserted Mason Rudolph as the starting quarterback. Rudolph, who had a whopping 74.3 percent passing rate during that span, was complemented by a highly successful rushing attack and a defense that forced six turnovers during the winning streak.
By winning 10 regular season games, the Steelers surpassed the Patriots from 2001 to 2019 with the second-longest unbeaten streak in NFL history. Tomlin also made history by extending his NFL record with 17 consecutive undefeated seasons to begin a career as a head coach. He made more history Sunday by surpassing Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher with the most 10-win seasons in franchise history.
Pittsburgh is playing well at the right time, but they suffered a significant loss when former Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt suffered a sprained MCL that is expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. The Steelers could have Watt back in the lineup if they can advance beyond the first round of the playoffs.
The Bills are in the playoffs after winning their last four games. Pro Bowl running back James Cook is a big reason for Buffalo’s resurgence. Cook was nothing short of dominant in Week 15, when he accounted for 179 yards and a touchdown in the Bills’ 31-10 win over the Cowboys.
While the Bills and Steelers advance, the Jaguars come home and lose five of their last six games. Injuries to Trevor Lawrence and Christian Kirk were critical factors in the Jaguars’ massive downfall.
