Kenny Pickett led two touchdown drives and showed he and the Pittsburgh starters are ready for real games as the Steelers overpowered the Atlanta Falcons’ backups 24-0 in the final preseason game for both teams.

The Steelers had running back Najee Harris and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster available for their wild-card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)The Cleveland Browns are short-handed as they try to clinch the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2002, the longest active drought in the NFL. They learned Sunday morning they will be without starting rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills against the New York Jets because of an illness. The Browns will be missing receivers Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge and linebacker Jacob Phillips. The Indianapolis Colts will be without both starting offensive tackles when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers. This comes after they placed LB Whitney Mercilus on the COVID list on Christmas.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) celebrates with JuJu Smith-Schuster after scoring on a 50-yard pass play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers spent three months shaking off whatever 2020 threw at them. pointing out time and again the only thing perfect about them was their record. Washington won the Super Bowl that season. The Bills beat the Steelers — minus Roethlisberger — 17-10 at Heinz Field last December to lock up a playoff berth.

Maryland celebrate after defeating Minnesota during overtime of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, in College Park, Md. Maryland won 45-44 in overtime. Minnesota's Brock Walker sent an extra-point try wide right after the potential tying touchdown, giving Maryland a stunning 45-44 comeback victory Friday night. Never in school history had Maryland won after trailing by 17 points in the fourth quarter. Jake Funk ran for a career-best 221 yards, and Maryland totaled a whopping 675 yards of offense.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) celebrates on the sideline with teammate cornerback Joe Haden (23) after making a touchdown catch against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers spent two quarters trying to hem in Deshaun Watson. Slicing into the backfield relentlessly, the Steelers put the clamps on the Texans in the second half to rally for a 28-21 victory that pushed them to 3-0 for the first time in a decade. Houston managed just 51 yards and two first downs over in the final 30 minutes to fall to 0-3. After opening the season with two relatively drama-free wins, the Steelers needed to overcome an early 11-point deficit to stay perfect. Steelers: Johnson exited in the second quarter due to a concussion on the play where Roethlisberger helped pave the way for a short gain.

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2019, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner (30) plays against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game, in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back remains adamant he can thrive in the NFL if he stays on the field. Conner understands he can't run from his resume, which includes a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2018 as well as a string of injuries that have limited his effectiveness. As long as we are professionals, we will be fine.Maybe, but the Steelers coaching staff finds itself in a tight spot, particularly at the running back spot. Maybe, the Steelers know they need more from the running game after it finished 29th in the league last season.

PITTSBURGH James Conner didn't treat the quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as an obstacle, but an opportunity. While general manager Kevin Colbert has repeatedly stressed the organization still believes in Conner, the club also declined to approach him with a new deal. Im not going to ignore it, but as far as me being scared or taking extra precautions because of my health history. If Im the guy, or however this year works, the goal is to win, Conner said. Im going to give it everything I have.

LINE: Maryland -1.5The Terps outgained Howard 623-68, allowing just four total first downs in a dominant defensive effort. ABOUT MARYLAND (1-0)The Terps had to be thrilled with Jackson, who became the first Maryland player to throw four touchdowns in his first start since 1975. Neal also was the Orange's leading receiver with three grabs for 54 yards in Week 1. Maryland rushed the ball 48 times in the opener, totaling 317 yards and five scores. PREDICTION: Syracuse 39, Maryland 33More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Anthony McFarland #5 of the Maryland Terrapins runs against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. - Maryland looks to put a tumultuous season in the rearview mirror when it kicks off the 2019 campaign at home against FCS outfit Howard on Saturday. LINE: Maryland -31"We're all aware of the things that have taken place here, but this 2019 team will be defined in the present," Locksley told reporters. The Terrapins ranked fourth nationally in red zone offense (93.5 percent) last season. PREDICTION: Maryland 42, Howard 13More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.