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| - The Pittsburgh Steelers resume their bid for an NFL playoff berth on Sunday when they travel to Buffalo aiming to erase the taste of their first defeat of 2020 -- a stunning loss to lowly Washington. The Steelers rushed for a season-low 21 yards on 14 carries against Washington and dropped seven passes. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said the miscues -- and the sluggish running game -- couldn't all be put down to the absences of running back James Conner and Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, who could both be back from Covid-19 enforced absences. "We believe in our guys -- the guys up front, the backs -- sometimes it's on me," Roethlisberger said. "Sometimes it's a (run-pass option) and I throw it instead of handing it off. Maybe I should have handed it off. "We all need to get better as a group. That fluidity comes from staying on the field and converting third downs -- and that's on me." But Roethlisberger admitted the return of Pouncey would be welcome -- not only for him but for the rest of the offensive line. "He's a comfort blanket," Roethlisberger said. "He's that lynchpin up front. He's the main guy up there. They'll all feel more comfortable with Pounce back. I'll feel more comfortable. He's our captain for a reason." The Steelers can clinch the AFC North division title with a victory and a loss by Cleveland, who host the Baltimore Ravens on Monday. The Bills, who lead the AFC East at 9-3 could also secure a playoff berth in week 14, but in addition to beating the Steelers they would need a string of other results to fall their way. Four teams have a chance to clinch their division titles, including the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints -- who have already secured their playoff berths. Patrick Mahomes rallied the Chiefs from a third-quarter deficit to beat the Denver Broncos last Sunday, their fourth straight win by just one score. A rugged Dolphins defense has allowed just 10 points in their last two games, but coach Brian Flores acknowledged that his 8-4 team, chasing a first post-season berth since 2016, will be tested by Kansas City. Flores was defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots in 2018 when New England beat Kansas City 43-40 in the regular season and 37-31 in overtime in AFC Championship Game. "I remember it was hard to stop them," Flores said. "It's still hard. It's probably harder now. "They've got a lot of great guys over there," he added of the offensive weapons on a Chiefs team that boasts tight end Travic Kelce and receiver Tyreek Hill -- second and third in receiving yards respectively. "I wish we could have 14 defenders. That'd be nice," Flores said. The Saints can lock up the NFC South with a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Green Bay Packers can clinch the NFC North with a win over the Detroit Lions and a Minnesota Vikings loss to Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. bb/gph
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