Pittsburgh's 24-10 win over Cleveland in Week 17 gave the Steelers its ninth consecutive non-losing season, and sixth under head coach Mike Tomlin.
It came with pain, just like it has all season for the battered Steelers. They saw rookie right guard David DeCastro leave the game in the second quarter with a stinger, just three games into a rookie season derailed in the preseason with a significant knee injury.
He wasn't the only rookie, either.
Kelvin Beachum was blindsided by a cheapshot from Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor in the third quarter. Watching the replay (and not relying on still-motion screen shots with crayon circles), it's clear Beachum was slowing down and was nowhere near the play when Taylor launched into him. Beachum's head appeared to bounce off the ground, forcing him out of the game.
A big part of the reason for the win the second consecutive Defensive Player of the Week worthy performance from cornerback Cortez Allen. The second year defender caused two more turnovers - two forced fumbles - giving him five forced takeaways in the last two weeks. The Steelers had an interception and two fumble recoveries against Cleveland, and Allen caused three more against Cincinnati in Week 16.