PITTSBURGH (AP) ― The Pittsburgh Steelers needed just 15 minutes to provide the Cincinnati Bengals a refresher course on what it takes to win in December.

Run the ball. Create turnovers. A big play or two on special teams helps. So does having a quarterback who knows what he’s doing when the games dwindle to a precious few.

It’s a formula the defending AFC champions have used for years. It has rarely looked as effective as it did in a 35-7 win Sunday.

Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes to Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall ran for two more and the Steelers used an explosive second quarter to crush error-prone Cincinnati.

“We’re in it now,” linebacker James Farrior said. “Right now is our time. ... We already started our playoffs.”

It certainly looked like it as Pittsburgh (9-3) swept the season series from Cincinnati (7-5) for the second straight year to end any realistic hopes the Bengals have of winning the AFC North.

“It’s tough,” said Cincinnati wide receiver A.J. Green, who caught an 11-yard touchdown pass but also committed a false start penalty that wiped out another score. “We shot ourselves in the foot sometimes. Being the veteran team they are, they capitalized on everything we did.”

It’s what the Steelers do this time of year.

Pittsburgh has been a mixed bag at times this season, often playing to the level of the competition, regardless of who it is.

Packers stay perfect

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (AP) ― The Green Bay Packers are still perfect and heading to the playoffs.

Aaron Rodgers engineered a last minute drive to set up a 30-yard field goal by Mason Crosby on the final play and the Green Bay Packers remained undefeated and clinched a playoff berth with a 38-35 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday.

Rodgers hit three passes of more than 18 yards on the drive in the final 58 seconds as the Super Bowl champion Packers (12-0) won their 18th straight game and handed the Giants (6-6) their fourth straight loss.

New York, which was blown out by New Orleans Monday night, tied the game on a 2-yard Eli Manning touchdown pass and a 2-point conversion run by D.J. Ware with just under a minute to play.

However, Rodgers, who threw four touchdown passes, wasn’t going to settle for overtime after a touchback on the ensuing kickoff.

On first down, he completed a pass to Jermichael Finley just over the outstretched hands of rookie linebacker Jacquian Williams and the tight end rumbled 24 yards up the right sideline to the 44.

Patriots 31, Colts 24

Broncos 35, Vikings 32

Titans 23, Bills 17

Dolphins 34, Raiders 14

Jets 34, Redskins 19

Texans 17, Falcons 10

Chiefs 10, Bears 3

Panthers 38, Bucs 19

Ravens 24, Browns 10

Cardinals 19, Cowboys 13

49ers 26, Rams 0

Saints 31, Lions 17