Baltimore and New York secure play-off spots as Steelers bow out

AMERICAN FOOTBALL NEWS: THE BALTIMORE Ravens and New York Jets wrapped up play-off berths on the final day of the regular season…

Washington Redskins cornerback Fred Smoot (27) tries to make an interception but is hit by San Diego Chargers tight-end Antonio Gates and loses the ball. - (Photograph: Denis Poroy/AP)
Washington Redskins cornerback Fred Smoot (27) tries to make an interception but is hit by San Diego Chargers tight-end Antonio Gates and loses the ball. - (Photograph: Denis Poroy/AP)

AMERICAN FOOTBALL NEWS:THE BALTIMORE Ravens and New York Jets wrapped up play-off berths on the final day of the regular season on Sunday but the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers were not as fortunate.

The Ravens (9-7) used a 21-13 win over the Oakland Raiders (5-11) to grab one of two AFC wild-card spots and end the slim post-season hopes of the Steelers (9-7), who had earlier beaten the Miami Dolphins (7-9) 30-24.

The Jets (9-7) clinched their post-season spot with a 37-0 victory over the play-off-bound Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) in the final game of the NFL regular season.

The victory sets up a post-season rematch with the Bengals in Cincinnati on Saturday. Baltimore will play at New England in the other AFC wildcard game next Sunday.

In the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys (11-5) galloped to a 24-0 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) to win the East Division title and set up a play-off rematch between the two teams in Texas on Saturday.

The other NFC play-off game will have the Arizona Cardinals (10-6) hosting the Green Bay Packers (11-5) in another rematch on Sunday. Green Bay crushed Arizona 33-7 on Sunday as the Cardinals, like a number of teams, rested most of their starters.

The Minnesota Vikings (12-4) rolled to a 44-7 victory over the New York Giants (8-8) to join the top-seeded New Orleans Saints with NFC first-round byes.

The Saints (13-3) dropped a 23-10 decision to the Carolina Panthers (8-8) that did not affect their play-off status.

Seven AFC teams went into the final day with a chance of grabbing the conference’s two wildcard berths.

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