Steelers 20, Chiefs 12
Ben Roethlisberger passed for 220 yards and one touchdown as host Pittsburgh clinched an AFC playoff spot by downing Kansas City.
Le’Veon Bell rushed for a touchdown and Antonio Brown caught his 12th scoring pass as the Steelers (10-5) secured their first postseason berth since 2011. Jason Worilds had two sacks, James Harrison and Cameron Hayward each recorded 1.5 and Pittsburgh totaled six overall while posting its third straight win.
Cairo Santos booted four field goals for the Chiefs (8-7), who lost for the fourth time in five games as their playoff hopes took another hit. Alex Smith was 31-of-45 for a season-best 311 yards but was unable to get Kansas City into the end zone.
Roethlisberger capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 3-yard scoring pass to Brown with 34 seconds left in the third quarter to make it 17-6 before Santos kicked a 43-yard field goal with 10:18 remaining in the fourth to move the Chiefs within eight. A 23-yard kick by Shaun Suisham with 4:04 left restored Pittsburgh’s 11-point advantage prior to Santos converting a 23-yarder with 1:37 to play.
The teams traded field goals in the opening quarter before Kansas City received a second from Santos – a 25-yarder – with 9:25 left in the first half to take a 6-3 lead. Bell scored on a 1-yard run with 4:18 remaining as the Steelers carried a 10-6 advantage into the break.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Chiefs OLB Justin Houston recorded his 18th sack of the season. … Roethlisberger left the field briefly after Pittsburgh’s third-quarter touchdown to have his right knee examined before returning for the next drive. … Smith’s 31 completions represent a career-best output.