Steelers not expected to play it safe with starters despite potential loss of division before kickoff
The Pittsburgh Steelers blew their best shot at the AFC North crown a couple of weeks ago. After losing to the Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh lost control of their own destiny, meaning the Ravens, who happen to play before the Steelers on Saturday, have a chance to win the divison outright. That […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers blew their best shot at the AFC North crown a couple of weeks ago.
After losing to the Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh lost control of their own destiny, meaning the Ravens, who happen to play before the Steelers on Saturday, have a chance to win the divison outright.
That has left many to ponder if the Steelers would rest their starters on Saturady night, as the game against the Cincinnati Bengals becomes meaningless with Pittsburgh having already clinched a playoff spot.
Well, not so fast says Coach Tomlin:
Steelers not preparing to rest starters against Bengals
"I haven't pondered that at all, to be quite honest with you. That might be a thought for later in the week, but as I mentioned, I think it's significant how we go into this tournament, and so I doubt that I'll be in that mentality that you mentioned," said Mike Tomlin when asked about resting his players if the Ravens win the AFC north hours before the Steelers kickoff against the Bengals.
Pittsburgh is coming off their worst stretch of ball all season. Dropping three straight against the Philadelphia Eagles, Ravens, and the debacle on Christmas against the Chiefs, Pittsburgh needs a win in the worst way.
In what world does heading into the playoffs with a group of starters that either hasn't played good ball, or played at all in a month seem like a recipe for success? It doesn't, and all who are healthy should play.
"Certainly, they're [Bengals] a motivated group trying to play their way into this tournament. But certainly, we're a motivated group," said Tomin on Monday. "To be quite honest with you, we got to get the stench of the last few performances off of us, and there's no better way to do that than a home division win versus a formidable group going into the tournament…
"… So that's our mentality as we stand here today. We had some real good meetings to get things get kickstarted this morning, and we will continue. Excited about doing it in Acrisure in prime time on Saturday night."
