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Browns clinch playoff bid for first time since 2002, hold off furious Steelers rally

The Cleveland Browns ended an 18-year playoff drought by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, 24-22.

And in typical Browns fashion, they made their fans sweat a bit.

Needing a win over their big-brother rivals, the Browns came out strong and led 24-9 early in the fourth quarter as the Steelers — led by backup QB Mason Rudolph — were struggling offensively.

But the Steelers rallied for two TDs in the final 10-plus minutes and had a chance to tie. But Rudolph’s two-point pass was incomplete.

The 11-5 Browns will be the sixth seed.