Wednesday 24 December 2014 16:26, UK
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 20-12 at Heinz Field to clinch their first play-off berth in three seasons.
The six-time Super Bowl champions have not qualified for the post-season since losing a wild-card game to the Denver Broncos in the 2011 season.
The Steelers’ third straight win means they have at least a wildcard play-off spot and will win the AFC North title for the first time since 2010 if they beat the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field next Sunday.
Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was the star man as he passed for 220 yards, Le'Veon Bell ran in for a one yard touchdown and Shaun Suisham kicked two field goals as Pittsburgh ran out winners.
Wide receiver Antonio Brown also caught seven passes and scored a touchdown for Pittsburgh, who have won seven out of nine games.
Kansas City's Alex Smith passed for a season-high 311 yards but was sacked six times by the Steelers defence as the Chiefs lost for the fourth time in their last five games.
Kansas (8-7) now need to beat San Diego next Sunday and get help from elsewhere to make it back to the play-offs for a second straight year under coach Andy Reid.
