Steelers Scratch RB Anthony McFarland; Practice Squad ILB Tegray Scales Active

The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading to the playoffs. They are also going in the wrong direction.

In six days, Pittsburgh saw its unbeaten season and lost its place at the top of the AFC. Any chance of a deep playoff run could be sharpened after Sunday night's 26-15 loss to the Buffaloes, which included more injuries, more ineffective play than the fast-throwing offense, and more questions than answers.

"I suppose it is miles a crew that has plenty of flexibility and knows the difference that winning football makes and knows the time of year." "And right now it's unreasonable."

Running behind James Connor and center Morski Ponce did little to restore the running game. Not if the Steelers (11-2) want to make their stay in the post-season an extension. Connor ran for just 18 yards on 10 carries and the Steelers won a total of 47 yards, the fifth time in the last seven games that they have won with less than 50 yards on the ground.

As a result, they were forced to rely on short-lived games. Not so much now. Dila Di who never bothered to give it. Roethlisberger completed 21 of 37 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns to go with two interceptions, including a six by Tarun Johnson at the end of the first half that gave Buffalo the lead. 

Johnson made his jump just in time and ran 51 yards to the finish zone when Smith Sector chased the waste. Roethlisberger was trying to keep Jojo Smith-Schuster from being too scared to take a shot from a defender. So Rothlesburger threw it on Smith Sector's back shoulder. 

Pittsburgh converted just 1 third out of 10, stopped the ball at just 24:15, and failed to maintain any momentum when it was important. The return made the bills 9-7. When Pittsburgh recorded the next first down, the Steelers trailed 23-7. 

Late-wide recipients have doubled down, with head coach Mike Tomlin briefly benching Deventy Johnson after some easy catches went right-handed. Johnson began to recover a bit in the second half but it was too late, too late.

The loss, with a home defeat to Washington on Monday, left Pittsburgh second in the AFC after defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City. Although the Steelers have an inside way to the AFC North title against Cleveland, the way they have played late has opened the door. And they know it.

"We've lost two," Rothlisberger said. "We have some problems. We are not playing good football, and it begins with me. But we are not hitting the panic button. Offensively, we are not very good. 

Absolutely not. Guard Matt Feller went down in the first half with a pectoral injury and shopkeeper Kevin Dotson - in Feller's place - soon after he injected himself. The line allowed Rothschildberger to pick up its first sack in a month, and Conner, Jillian Samuels, or Benny Steele weren't given much space to maneuver. As a result, a trade center was forced to fill JC, Hasnavir, on the left guard. 

Pittsburgh also set an NFL record by collecting at least one sack in its 70th game. The defense did what it wanted to do halfway through. Uncontrolled by Jill Allen of Buffett Buffalo, the Steelers forced a pair into early business, one of which was a touchdown pass from Reutelsberger to James Washington. 

However, once Allen settled down, the injuries exposed the defensive holes.

Steelers cornerback Joe Haddin (without hesitation) and linebackers Robert Spelin (knees) and Vince Williams (Reserve / Cowed-19 list) without starting. Forming a regular team with Stephen Diggs, the Buffaloes dominated the second half. Once Allen had time to leave his recipients open, he separated from Pittsburgh. 

"We played like crap today," said defender Kim Hayward. "It simply came to our notice then.  We can talk about our protection or defense in the first quarter, but after that, he went to hell. We recognize what we're doing."

Pittsburgh travels to Cincinnati next week in what appears to be a relative breath. And hurry up relatively quickly. The Steelers have won each of their last 11 meetings with the Bengals - before a deadline that begins with a home game against Indianapolis (9-4) and a trip to Cleveland (9-3) to close the regular season. To do

In Pittsburgh, the seasons are remembered for how they end, not how they begin. He has finished 11-0. Until then, they can sew AFC North and their sowing can be assured. Or they may suffocate.  The real litmus test begins now.

"If I don't play so good football, I need to hang him," Rothlsberg said. "I can nonetheless construct extra teams to assist this team wins the football game and I'll do everything I can to get again at the right track."