Nine players with Alabama football roots got a special Christmas present on Sunday - a spot in the NFL playoffs. For seven other players from state high schools and colleges, Sunday brought the humbug of postseason elimination.
Pittsburgh's 31-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens gave the Steelers the AFC North title, locking up a playoff spot not only for Pittsburgh, but for the Kansas City Chiefs, too. In Sunday night's game, the Chiefs defeated Denver 33-10 to eliminate the Broncos from playoff consideration. Denver's loss gave the AFC's second wild-card berth to the Miami Dolphins.
Free safety Darian Stewart (Lee-Huntsville) and weakside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (Auburn High, Troy) were Super Bowl winners to cap the 2016 season with Denver.