Steelers defeat Browns in Big Ben's emotional farewell

After 18 magical home seasons at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's home career came to an end with an emotional win on the final Monday Night Football of the regular season with a 26-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the NFL's Week 17 finale.

The win kept alive the six-time Super Bowl champion franchise that requires several combinations to make the playoffs.

Four sacks for T.J. Watt

The key to Pittsburgh's win was the four sacks T.J. Watt earned to bring him to 21.5 so far this season and just one shy of the NFL record of 22.5 held by Michael Strahan.

The scoring opened up until the second quarter, when the famed "Big Ben" caught his final touchdown pass at Heinz Field on a five-yard connection to Diontae Johnson.

The lead was increased before halftime with a 22-yard field goal by Chris Boswell.

In the third quarter, Boswell himself increased the home team's lead to 13 points with another field goal, this one from 30 yards.

Cleveland's offense woke up at the end of that same period with a three-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to David Njoku.

Two more Boswell field goals (50 and 48 yards) appeared to put the game on ice as early as the fourth period.

The Browns put some excitement into it with another Mayfield touchdown pass, this one a one-yarder to Harrison Bryant with a minute to play.

Najee Harris secured the win for "Big Ben"

The Steelers recovered the onside kick and the exclamation point to the win was provided by rookie running back Najee Harris, who bolted 37 yards to the end zone to send Heinz Field into jubilation and give Roethlisberger an unforgettable farewell.

"Big Ben" completed 24 of 46 passes for only 123 yards with one touchdown to one interception.

Harris totaled a grand total of 188 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.

What's next for Steelers and Browns?

The Steelers (8-7-1) need to beat the visiting Baltimore Ravens next Sunday, January 9, and hope for several results to miraculously make the playoffs.

Ben Roethlisberger.

The Browns (7-9) will close the season that same day when they host the Cincinnati Bengals.

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