PITTSBURGH -- Even after thumping the Cleveland Browns, a bitter AFC North rival, 28-14 in Sunday's regular-season finale, the Pittsburgh Steelers came off the field quietly.
Somberly, they walked up the tunnel, shook the hand of strength and conditioning coach Garrett Giemont, then turned left into the Acrisure Stadium locker room for the last time this season.
Because while they avoided handing Mike Tomlin his first losing season as head coach with a 9-8 finish, the Steelers were shut out of the playoffs because the Miami Dolphins held on to beat the New York Jets 11-6 to clinch the AFC's No.