BALTIMORE — It’s never easy with these Steelers, is it? Even when they aren’t playing and have no control of their postseason future.
Once they beat the Ravens in a mystifying game of their own Sunday afternoon, all they needed was for someone, anyone, to win the Chargers-Raiders game Sunday night in Las Vegas. And this time, what happened there won’t stay there.
The Raiders are in the playoffs, and they’re taking the Steelers with them after a back-and-forth game that ended with a 47-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson as time expired. That was a 35-32 win, for Las Vegas and Pittsburgh.
DANIEL CARLSON FOR THE WIN.
— NFL (@NFL) January 10, 2022
What a way to end the 2021 season! #LACvsLV #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/LpERrW7WQ6
“Nonononono not like this,” Steelers wideout Chase Claypool tweeted as time was ticking down.
“They gon shank a field goal so all Cali teams can be in,” joked offensive lineman Kevin Dotson.
“We live in a simulation,” wrote injured quarterback Josh Dobbs, an actual rocket scientist. “I am convinced.”
But in the end, the Steelers got the result they needed — with the utmost drama included. Thanks to the Jaguars and thanks to the Raiders, their win against the Ravens meant something.
“Goodnight Pittsburgh see you in the playoffs,” posted captain Cam Heyward.
The Steelers and Chiefs will kick off at 8:15 p.m. Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko.
First Published: January 10, 2022, 5:23 a.m.