Ravens reach NFL playoffs, Steelers out

<div><p>The Baltimore Ravens seized a playoff berth Sunday with a 21-13 victory at Oakland on the final day of the NFL regular season, as Super Bowl champions Pittsburgh bowed out of the postseason chase.</p><p>Willis McGahee ran for a career-high 167 yards and three touchdowns, and the Ravens clinched one of two AFC wild-card spots up for grabs on Sunday.</p><p>The Ravens came into the contest knowing a win would see them advance. The New York Jets, who hosted Cincinnati on Sunday night, were in the same situation, although a loss for the Jets would open the door for Houston - who stayed alive with a 34-27 victory over New England..</p><p>The Steelers, however, knew they needed to win and have other results fall their way.</p><p>They avoided a fourth-quarter collapse to beat Miami 30-24, but were eliminated hours later when the Ravens won.</p><p>"I'd rather we go out with a win than a loss," said Steelers signal-caller Ben Roethlisberger, who threw three touchdown passes.</p><p>The Dolphins who won the AFC East division last season, saw their slim chances of advancing end minutes before the end of their game when Houston beat New England.</p><p>Pittsburgh's post-championship season ran aground with a five-game losing streak late in the season that included defeats by the lowly Chiefs, Raiders and Browns.</p><p>"We didn't do what we were supposed to do and take care of our business," receiver Santonio Holmes said. "Therefore we have to suffer with what happens."</p><p>In the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys won the NFC East title with a 24-0 rout of division rivals Philadelphia.</p><p>The victory set up a rematch at Cowboys Stadium next weekend in the first round of the playoffs.</p><p>Both teams finished with 11-5 records, but Dallas won both meetings between the two to claim the division.</p><p>Defending NFC champions Arizona, who fell to the Steelers in last season's Super Bowl, lost 33-7 to Green Bay and will face the Packers again next weekend in the other NFC first-round contest.</p><p>The Minnesota Vikings secured a first-round bye with a 44-7 victory over the New York Giants.</p><p>"I think it's proof of what we're capable of doing," said Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, who completed 25 of 31 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns in less than three quarters without a turnover.</p><p>"Where it takes us from here, I have no idea. But it was definitely a momentum boost and confidence."</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=66259143&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>


Copyright 2010  <a href="http://www.afp.com/english/links/?pid=copyright">AFP Global Edition</a></div></div>


Related Video by 5min

loading

Related Articles

Related Blogs

Related Video