THE 50-YARD LINE

       We got a feeling, Pittsburgh's going to the Super Bowl! Our Pittsburgh Steelers punched their ticket to the playoffs yesterday (with an assist from the Buffalo Bills), clobbering the Cleveland Clowns 28-12. Today Mrs. Black-N-Gold brings you The Good, The Bad & The Ugly from yesterday's victory.

GOOD

It wasn't always good and it wasn't always pretty but a win is a win. Especially when you're playoff bound. The defense looked good as they forced Cleveland to turn the ball over 4 times (2 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries) They also sacked Cleveland QB Austin Davis 7 times after being shutout in the sack department last week in Baltimore. The defense also kept the Clowns out of the end zone, forcing them into 4 field goals.

WR Antonio Brown continued his stellar season by catching 13 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. Thanks to AB's big day, he set an NFL record to become the first player ever with back-to-back 125+ catch seasons.

Kudos, too, to the offensive line. They kept QB Ben Roethlisberger clean all day by not allowing a single sack from Cleveland.

Of course the best thing about yesterday was 1)the Steelers took care of business and 2)Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills did us a favor by defeating the New York Jets 22-17. You don't like to rely on the kindness of others to get to the postseason but we'll take it. Thanks, Buffalo!

BAD

RB DeAngelo Williams had only 5 rushes for 8 yards before exiting the game with a right ankle injury in the 2nd quarter. DeWill was carted to the locker room but was seen on the sidelines later. Unfortunately, he was unable to return to the game. He was seen after the game in a walking boot to keep the ankle immobilized. Steelers fans are no stranger to this scenario. Williams was signed this offseason after RB Le'Veon Bell missed the Steelers playoff game last year due to injury. It's too early to tell but early reports were that the injury isn't serious and Williams expects to play next week.

UGLY

Big Ben's on-the-road performance continues to be ugly. Ben was 24 of 36 for 349 yards and 3 touchdowns but threw 2 ugly interceptions. Away from Heinz Field this season Ben has thrown 5 touchdowns versus 9 interceptions. His QB rating is a pedestrian 86.0. As the number 6 seed in the AFC, all of the Steelers playoff games will be on the road. Ben has to shake off his lackadaisical play in enemy territory and march this team to victory. If he continues to play so poorly on the road, it will be an early exit for the Black-N-Gold.

Now it's time to get ready. The Steelers will travel to Cincy for the Wild Card round. Kickoff is Saturday, 1/9, at 8:15pm. We've already beaten them on their turf less than a month ago. Time to go back to Cincy and kick some Bengals butt. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!