The Steelers and Browns have traded punts throughout the first quarter in a game that might not turn out to matter if the Steelers can’t get the Cincinnati Bengals to cooperate.
As we near the end of the first quarter of both games, the Baltimore Ravens lead the Bengals 10-0. If the Ravens win, the Steelers would get the No. 5 seed in the AFC in the NFL playoffs, regardless of the outcome of their game against the Browns.
The Steelers have out-gained the Browns so far, 57 total yards to 16, but so far that hasn’t mattered much. The Steelers appeared to be targeting veteran receiver Hines Ward early on, probably in part in order to get him to 1,000 catches for his career. Unfortunately, he began the game with a drop and only has one catch so far. This season is likely to be Ward’s last in Pittsburgh.
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