By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com
The Steelers did their part on Sunday, but their playoff hopes were still dashed when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Oakland Raiders, 21-13, on the road.
The Ravens clinched one of the two wild card spots and eliminated the Steelers chances of earning one.
The Steelers needed a variety of things to happen in order to make the playoffs, the final scenario requiring Baltimore, Denver and the New York Jets to lose. The Broncos lost to Kansas City, but Baltimore's Willis McGahee was too much for the Raiders, rushing for 167 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
The Steelers finished the season with the same 9-7 record as the Ravens, but lost the tiebreaker.
"We have a singular goal every year and that's to be World Champs," said Coach Mike Tomlin following the Steelers 30-24 win over the Dolphins in Miami. "We understand that there are 32 teams going for it and there can only be one. I've been in this league nine years and seven times I've been disappointed. That's the reality of it. So if we're not that team, so be it."
