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.
It's all @Titans in Oakland. #TENvsOAK #TitanUp
— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2019
: CBS
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/D5AfU98qAh pic.twitter.com/devFAt1gDH
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.
Some light Sunday reading. #BALvsBUF | #GoBills pic.twitter.com/uRm0rf11Lo
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 8, 2019
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.
?@ESanders_10 to @RMos_8Ball ♂️#GoNiners #SFvsNO pic.twitter.com/3AzpuJVbPE
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 8, 2019
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.
@tkelce in the wildcat
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 8, 2019
@tkelce in the wildcat
@tkelce in the wildcat #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/IWmce9n2Bk
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.”
.@bakermayfield spoke after the game about Odell Beckham Jr. #Browns pic.twitter.com/T1f3mxfAFS
— FOX Sports Cleveland (@FOXSportsCLE) December 8, 2019
Many interpreted those comments as Mayfield pinning blame on the training staff. He tried to walk that back.
Those people within our building know my intentions and where I am coming from. I truly believe that and I apologize to those that don’t deserve the backlash.... today was a good team win. On to the next one.
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) December 8, 2019
Nice try, Baker. That toothpaste isn’t going back in the tube.
