If the Patriots do make the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers loom as a potential second-round opponent. The Steelers are playing a meaningless home game against the Cleveland Browns today, but the game took a very serious turn late in the second quarter when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was hit by two Cleveland defenders after throwing a pass. He had to be immobilized and carted off the field, and was replaced by backup Byron Leftwich.

CBS is reporting that Roethlisberger, who remained down on the field for about 10 minutes as he was checked out, suffered a concussion. He gave a thumbs-up to the crowd at Heinz Field as he left on a stretcher.