Emotional victory for Big Ben
Ben Roethlisberger threw a touchdown pass in what likely was his last game at Heinz Field, Najee Harris ran for 188 yards — including a clinching 37-yard touchdown with 51 seconds left — and the Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 26-14 victory Monday against the Browns.
Roethlisberger, a 39-year-old who reportedly is leaning toward retirement after an 18-year career with the Steelers (8-7-1), threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson in the second quarter but also had an interception and finished with only 123 yards passing. After the game, he was embracing and high-fiving fans in the stands.
Outside linebacker T.J. Watt, meanwhile, became the first Steelers player with four sacks in a game since Joey Porter did it against the Buccaneers in 2001. Watt leads the league with 21oe sacks, one short of the record set by Michael Strahan, also in 2001.
Baker Mayfield passed for 185 yards with two touchdowns for the Browns (7-9), but he also threw two interceptions and was sacked nine times.
Arians addresses Brown flap
Troubled receiver Antonio Brown’s latest messy departure from an NFL team — the Buccaneers this time — wasn’t about an injury, coach Bruce Arians said.
Arians confirmed the Bucs are moving on from Brown, whose NFL career is on hold yet again after another in a series of incidents, but dispelled the notion that Brown stormed off the field Sunday against the Jets — tossing some of his gear into the stands at MetLife Stadium — after refusing to go back in because of an ankle injury that had sidelined him for several weeks.
Arians twice was asked about Brown claiming he was hurt and both times said Brown didn’t tell him he was injured.
‘‘It’s pretty obvious what happened,’’ Arians said, declining to elaborate on an exchange he said he had with Brown on the sideline. ‘‘He left the field, and that was it.’’
Pressed for details about what was said and whether Brown claimed he was too injured to play, Arians replied: ‘‘We had a conversation, and he left the field.’’
Quarterback news
Giants quarterback Mike Glennon suffered an injury to his left (non-throwing) wrist Sunday against the Bears, ending his season. The injury means Jake Fromm will start the Giants’ season finale Sunday against Washington, with Brian Lewerke being called up from the practice squad to be the backup.
†Washington coach Ron Rivera said Taylor Heinicke will start at quarterback in the season finale Sunday against the Giants, but he didn’t rule out playing backup Kyle Allen, too.
Raiders CB hit with DUI charge
Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs was arrested on a misdemeanor DUI charge shortly after being found asleep inside a vehicle parked on an exit ramp of a parking garage in Las Vegas. He failed a field sobriety test and was booked. The Raiders said they were aware of the arrest and were looking into the matter.
Eagles put 12 on COVID list
The Eagles put defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, tight end Dallas Goedert, former Bears running back Jordan Howard and nine others on the COVID-19 list before their regular-season finale Saturday against the Cowboys. Under the NFL’s revised protocols, the Eagles could get all 12 players back before kickoff.