NFL capsules: Steelers romp

Steelers 41, Browns 9

CLEVELAND — Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes and Pittsburgh won the AFC North to secure a first-round playoff bye.

The game could be the final one for Browns coach Eric Mangini.

Roethlisberger, who got to rest most of the second half, threw a 56-yard TD to Mike Wallace on his first pass.

The Steelers (11-5) built a 31-3 halftime lead and rocked the rival Browns (5-11), who didn't put up much of a fight in their finale.

In winning its third division title in four years, Pittsburgh guaranteed itself at least one postseason home game.

Mangini's record fell to 10-22 in two seasons. On Monday, he's scheduled to meet with team president Mike Holmgren.

Ravens 13, Bengals 7

BALTIMORE — Ed Reed had two interceptions and Ray Lewis recovered two fumbles, part of an opportunistic defense that carried Baltimore.

Despite the victory, the Ravens (12-4) failed to get the help necessary to win the AFC North. Baltimore needed Pittsburgh to lose to Cleveland, but the Steelers won easily to deny the Ravens a first-round bye.

Baltimore will enter the playoffs with a four-game winning streak.

Ray Rice scored on a 7-yard run and Billy Cundiff kicked two field goals for the Ravens, who forced five turnovers to offset the 395 yards in offense amassed by the Bengals (4-12).

The Ravens' victory Sunday was not assured until Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer threw an incompletion on a fourth-down play from the Baltimore 2 with 10 seconds left.

Raiders 31, Chiefs 10

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Michael Bush rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown and short-handed Oakland beat playoff-bound Kansas City to gain a unique NFL distinction.

The Raiders (8-8) finished 6-0 in the AFC West, the first team since the 1970 merger to go unbeaten in the division and not make the playoffs. The Chiefs (10-6) were 2-4 in the division, but will host a playoff game next weekend as AFC West champions.

Two of Oakland's best players, running back Darren McFadden and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Richard Seymour, were inactive because of injuries. But the Raiders dominated in just about every way while handing the Chiefs their first home loss.

Buccaneers 23, Saints 13

NEW ORLEANS — Josh Freeman passed for two touchdowns and Tampa Bay kept its playoff hopes alive.

Tampa Bay (10-6) entered the game needing a victory and losses by both the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, who played later Sunday, to make the playoffs.

Freeman passed for 255 yards, including a 2-yard scoring strike to Dezmon Briscoe in the back of the end zone, and an 18-yard TD to Mike Williams on fourth-and-short.

Connor Barth hit three field goals, the third from 48 yards to give the Bucs a two-score lead with 4:01 to go.

Reggie Bush had 70 yards rushing and 55 yards receiving for the Saints (11-5), who were locked into the fifth playoff seed after Atlanta's win over Carolina.

Patriots 38, Dolphins 7

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady threw two touchdown passes to cap a record-setting season as New England won its eighth straight.

The game meant nothing in the standings. Still, Brady played into the third quarter and finished with 36 touchdowns passing and four interceptions. He extended his NFL records to 335 straight passes without an interception and 28 consecutive regular-season wins as a starter at home.

The Patriots (14-2) already had homefield advantage for as long as they remain in the AFC playoffs and have a first-round bye.

The Dolphins (7-9) lost for the fourth time in five games, jeopardizing the job of coach Tony Sparano.

Jets 38, Bills 7

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Mark Brunell threw two touchdown passes in relief of Mark Sanchez, Joe McKnight ran for a career-high 158 yards and the Jets' defense dominated.

Having already clinched a postseason spot, New York (11-5) sat a handful of stars, including LaDainian Tomlinson and Darrelle Revis, but still earned the fourth 11-win season in franchise history — and first since the 1998 team went to the AFC championship game.

The Jets enter the playoffs as a No. 6 seed.

Sanchez, dealing with a sore right shoulder, started but played only one series and handed off nine times without a throw.