Steelers, Panthers clash for playoff spot

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers lost on Sunday to miss out on clinching National Football League (NFL) playoff berths, setting up a pair of showdowns next week for post-season spots.

Cleveland beat Pittsburgh 13-6 to snap the Steelers' three-game win streak. 

The Baltimore Ravens (8-8) will visit Pittsburgh (9-7) next week in a winner-take-all game that will decide the AFC North division title and final AFC playoff spot.

The Browns (4-12) halted a four-game losing skid by snapping Pittsburgh's three-game win streak and imposing a fourth consecutive defeat on the Steelers in games at Cleveland.

Shedeur Sanders' 28-yard touchdown pass to Harold Fannin lifted host Cleveland to a 10-6 halftime lead and Andre Szmyt added a 33-yard field goal for the Browns with 1:40 remaining.

Aaron Rodgers drove Pittsburgh to the Cleveland 7-yard line but couldn't produce a touchdown.

"We had been executing at a high level the entire game and the guys were intent on bending but not breaking," NFL sacks leader Myles Garrett of the Browns said.

"They can get all the yards they want but they can't get in our end zone and we showed that all day."

After Tampa Bay's 20-17 loss at Miami, the Carolina Panthers could have captured the NFC South crown with a home victory.

But Seattle's Sam Darnold threw for 147 yards and a touchdown and Zach Charbonnet ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the Seahawks' 27-10 rout at Charlotte.

The result set up a crucial matchup next week with Carolina (8-8) at Tampa Bay (7-9) and the winner likely taking the last NFC playoff spot.

Should Atlanta (6-9) beat the Los Angeles Rams on Monday and New Orleans next week and Tampa Bay defeat Carolina to create a three-way tie at 8-9, Carolina would advance based on season results among the three clubs.

The Seahawks (13-3) were level 3-3 at halftime but broke open the game in the second half for their sixth consecutive triumph.