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First Call: Biggest threat to Steelers playoff hopes; Browns drama continues | TribLIVE.com
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First Call: Biggest threat to Steelers playoff hopes; Browns drama continues

Tim Benz
Tim Benz

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Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Jayon Brown celebrates with inside linebacker Rashaan Evans and inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard after scoring against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019.

In Monday’s “First Call,” we look at the biggest outside threat to the Steelers’ playoff hopes. Also, drama continues to swirl around the Browns, even in victory. And a former Steeler has a huge afternoon.

Titan-ic effort

The Tennessee Titans were once 2-4. Now they are the biggest threat to the Steelers making the playoffs.

The Steelers currently hold the sixth and final playoff spot at 8-5. The Titans are also 8-5. But the Steelers own the tie-breaker by virtue of a 6-3 conference record as opposed to Tennessee’s at 6-4.

The Titans beat the Raiders 42-21. They have two games remaining against division rival Houston — who is also 8-5 — and a home game against New Orleans.

That was Jayon Brown returning the fumble 46 yards for a defensive touchdown.

Meanwhile, three weeks ago, the Raiders appeared to be in a great playoff spot. But they have been terrible since then, falling to Tennessee, the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs by a combined score of 116-33.

If you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t tryin’

And is it really cheatin’ if it falls right into your hands?

During a windy day in Buffalo, a Baltimore Ravens play sheet and photograph blew onto the field during the third quarter.

Buffalo defensive back Tre’Davious White grabbed the papers and looked them over before an official pulled the papers away.

Whatever White saw wasn’t enough as the Bills lost to the Ravens anyway, 24-17. That helps the Steelers since the Bills are now only a game in front of Pittsburgh as the two teams get ready to play one another Sunday night at Heinz Field.

Meanwhile the Ravens can clinch the North with either a victory next week or a Steelers’ loss.

‘Manny magic

Former Steeler Emmanuel Sanders tried two passes while he was in Pittsburgh. One was a 15-yard completion. Another resulted in a sack.

This one yesterday for the San Francisco 49ers was a little better.

That went for 75 yards and a touchdown to Raheem Mostert.

Sanders also caught seven balls for 157 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers won a 48-46 shootout to improve to 11-2. The Saints fell to 10-3.

Tricky Travis

How often do you see this?

A tight end wildcat formation?

Yup. That’s All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce playing the role of quarterback in the wildcat against the New England Patriots.

And it worked.

That was Kelce’s fourth rush and his first touchdown. The Chiefs went on to win by a final of 23-16. So they are now 9-4, leading the AFC West. The Patriots are 10-3, still leading the AFC East. And the Ravens are alone atop the conference at 11-2.

OBJ not OK

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield stirred the pot about an injury impacting Odell Beckham Jr.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Browns receiver may need sports hernia surgery and that he has been playing through the injury much of the year.

After Sunday’s 27-19 win over Cincinnati, Mayfield said the injury “wasn’t handled the right way in our training room.”

Many interpreted those comments as Mayfield pinning blame on the training staff. He tried to walk that back.

Nice try, Baker. That toothpaste isn’t going back in the tube.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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