With division title in sight, team only worried about what it can control
PITTSBURGH — At 6-5 and tied with the Ravens for first place in the AFC North, the Steelers aren’t paying attention to what’s happening around them. Instead, their line of vision points directly ahead; toward the next game, the next challenge and the next opportunity.
With five games remaining, Baltimore currently holds an edge in the playoff race with a 4-0 division record and a win over the Steelers. Until they face the Ravens on Christmas Day — a game that could very well decide the division — the Steelers won’t be bird-watching.
“Who do they play? Sorry,” guard David DeCastro responded when asked about his thoughts on Baltimore’s remaining schedule. “…You look at it and it’s one of those things where we know it’s going to come down to that game, regardless of how things really shake out. Maybe, you never really know, but at the same time it’s in our control to an extent.”
The Ravens have a tough stretch of games to end their season with the Patriots, Eagles and Dolphins left on the docket, but the Steelers are far more concerned with what they can control. They’re expected to win at least four of the five games left on their schedule, playing opponents with a combined 23-32-1 record. They’ve been considerably better at home this season, and will play three of their five remaining games at Heinz Field.
“Like I said before, at the point of the season we can still be 11-5,” guard Ramon Foster said. “That’s what we’re shooting for right now. Right now, we’ve got the Giants and we’ll just deal with them accordingly. It’s a home game and we’ve got a couple left so we’ve just got to win at home. That’s got to be our biggest issue.”
The Giants will come to Heinz Field on Sunday with an 8-3 record, currently riding a six-game win streak.
NOTEWORTHY
Markus Wheaton sensed that his season might be over when after every time he played — which wasn’t often — or practiced, that his ailing shoulder would act up. “It was lingering way too long,” Wheaton said Monday. On Nov. 19, the Steelers shut down their 2013 third-round pick for the season after playing in just three games and recording four catches for 51 yards. “I think it was a good decision by the team and the coaching staff,” Wheaton said. “It’s just frustrating on my part. I want to be out there and playing with my team.” Wheaton says he’ll undergo shoulder surgery Dec. 7 in Pittsburgh but there is no timetable for his recovery. The bigger question is where Wheaton might go when he has healed. He is a free agent at season’s end and has 107 career receptions to go along with 1,508 receiving yards to his resume, but this injury could ward off potential suitors. “I want to stay here,” Wheaton said. “That would be my first choice. Obviously, it’s business. We’ll see how it goes.”
Sean Davis’ rookie year has been a roller coaster ride. He began the season playing both safety and nickel cornerback, juggling two different positions along with transitioning to the NFL. He started two games, suffered a back injury and was forced to earn back playing time. Since then, Davis has made significant strides in his improvement over the last month. “Coach (Tomlin) rewarded me putting me out there,” Davis said. “I’ve got to continue to do what I’m doing, put my head down, stay humble and continue to work.” Davis was inserted back into the starting lineup at strong safety in Week 10 against the Cowboys and has posted 14 total tackles in the three games since, though on Thursday against the Colts, Davis was back to playing cornerback in certain defensive sub-packages. He confirmed that will continue to play both positions, which won’t be easy. “It’s hard because, in my opinion, it’s two completely different positions,” Davis said. “You’ve got to study. You’re watching the same film but from two different aspects. I’m not running away from it, but it’s hard.”
In addition to Davis, rookies Artie Burns and Javon Hargrave have large roles within the Steelers defense that they weren’t holding at the beginning of the season. The trio of draft picks — the top three 2016 Draft picks — have held their own and are playing with more assuredness. “We’re extremely confident in those guys,” OLB Arthur Moats said. “They’ve grown a lot especially since OTAs and training camp. When you get this late into the season, they’re not rookies anymore.” Burns worked his way into a starting position mid-season after gaining the confidence of Tomlin and the coaching staff, and has posted two interceptions in his last three games. “(My confidence) is getting bigger every week,” Burns said. “The more time I spend out there, the more plays I make, the more I be out there with my guys, you know what I’m saying, it just keep getting more confidence.”
Hargrave has two sacks in his first two games since filling in as the replacement for Cam Heyward in pass-rushing situations. Against the Colts, Hargrave posted a career-high five total tackles, four solo. Foster (ankle) and Hargrave (hand) were both listed on the Steelers’ post game injury report after the Colts game, but confirmed they participated in practice Monday.
QUOTEWORTHY
”They’re playing superb. Those guys don’t get enough credit for the things that they do.” — Le’Veon Bell, on the play of the Steelers’ offensive line.