APPLICATION » Dame, but the Spartans followed that up with

CINCINNATI -- The defending champions have been eliminated. An AFC North title is now one victory away for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are on their best regular-season surge in seven years.Chris Boswell tied the club record with six field goals, and Ben Roethlisberger threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass for a 24-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday that left Pittsburgh in control of the division.The Steelers (9-5) can win the title by beating the Ravens (8-6) at Heinz Field next Sunday.A lot of guys are treating this like its the playoffs already, linebacker Ryan Shazier said.The Bengals (5-8-1) can start thinking about the offseason instead of the postseason. They tied their franchise record with 12 victories last season, lost to the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs at Paul Brown Stadium with a last-minute collapse, and never looked like the same team this time around.It is hard because I feel like Ive not found the right buttons to push to get us to where we need to be, said coach Marvin Lewis, who is under contract through 2017. Its my job to figure out why we dont get it to where it needs to be. Weve been short.Boswell had just enough to get his kicks through a gusting wind. He was good from 45, 49, 49, 40, 49 and 30 yards.He needs no endorsement from me, coach Mike Tomlin said. Shoot, I just gave him the game ball.Some takeaways from the Steelers latest win in Cincinnati:KICK-6: Gary Anderson (1988 vs. Denver) and Jeff Reed (2002 vs. Jacksonville) also kicked six field goals for the Steelers, who beat the Broncos 39-21 and the Jaguars 25-23 in those contests.They didnt look pretty, they didnt go over by much, but they went in, Boswell said.The kicker also dived and tripped Alex Erickson on a 72-yard kickoff return, preventing a touchdown.I just dove and hit something and he went down, Boswell said.5 STRAIGHT: The Steelers have won five consecutive regular-season games for the first time since 2009. In addition to a balanced offense and an accurate kicker, theyve gotten steely play out of their defense, which has held each of the last five opponents to 100 yards rushing or less, Pittsburghs best such streak in four years. The Bengals managed only 76 yards on the ground, including 18 in the second half.Its like we felt we wanted it more, Shazier said.TEMPERS, TEMPERS: Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict and cornerback Adam Pacman Jones were flagged on Sunday -- the linebacker for tackling Roethlisberger after he got rid of the ball, the cornerback for taunting. Cincinnati got three personal fouls, including one on tackle Pat Sims that aided Pittsburghs touchdown drive. Pittsburgh got one personal foul.DROUGHT CONTINUES: The Bengals lost in the opening round of the playoffs each of the last five seasons, a playoff record. Their elimination from playoff contention extends their futility. They havent won a postseason game since the 1990 season, the sixth-longest drought in NFL history.Were so used to the past five years of going to the playoffs every year, defensive tackle Domata Peko said. Its the first time we havent in a long time, and it hurts. It really hurts me.INJURIES: Steelers: DE Stephon Tuitt had a facemask penalty against Andy Dalton that extended Cincinnatis opening field goal drive. He also injured his right knee on the drive and didnt return. ... TE Ladarius Green caught a 28-yard pass on the final drive and then went to the locker room to be tested for a concussion. ... Bengals WR A.J. Green was inactive for the fourth straight game with a strained right hamstring. He returned to practice on a limited basis last week and hopes to play in one of the two final games.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Byron Buxton Twins Jersey . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Kyle Gibson Twins Jersey . Pedro scored from a pass by Lionel Messi in the 33rd minute and added two more goals in the 47th and 72nd after Valdes saved his second penalty in four days following his stop in Wednesdays 4-0 over Ajax in the Champions League. http://www.twinssale.com/twins-addison-reed-jersey/ . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. Nelson Cruz Jersey . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Marwin Gonzalez Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan States linebacker corps looked pretty deep a couple weeks ago. Not so much anymore.Jon Reschke is expected to miss a substantial amount of time with an ankle sprain, and linebacker Riley Bullough is day to day after missing last weekends loss to Wisconsin with an unspecified injury.Coach Mark Dantonio announced the injuries Tuesday.Reschke had a forced fumble and an interception two weeks ago in a win at Notre Dame, but the Spartans followed that up with a 30-6 loss to Wisconsin. Dantonio said hes hoping Ed Davis, who received an extra year of eligibility after missing all of last season with a knee injury, will be able to help.Hes getting better and better. Thats the plan, so thats going to add an additional guy to us, Dantonio said. Weve been deep at linebacker. Wevee got guys who have played and know what to do there, so they can pick up the slack.dddddddddddd Its an opportunity for people to grow.The 17th-ranked Spartans play at Indiana on Saturday night. Dantonio said Michigan State will wear black socks and black shoes for that game in honor of former defensive back Mylan Hicks, who was killed over the weekend. Dantonio said Hicks liked to wear black Michigan State gear.Hicks lettered for the Spartans from 2012-14.The team also will put No. 6 on its helmets.Well probably travel down there with probably 41 players I think I counted that played on the team with him, Dantonio said. Hell be in a lot of peoples minds as we move forward. ' ' '