The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a solid win against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7 and are slowly trending up in many of the rankings around the league. After getting several pieces back healthy during the bye week, it appears the offense is starting to click and the defense is maintaining their dominant level of play.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has been asked to wear many hats this season, and his versatility has been key for the defense's success late in games.
Despite putting together what was their best all around game against the Rams, the Steelers were still needing to put together a comeback late in the game as they trailed 17-10 entering the 4th quarter. As has been the case for much of Kenny Pickett's young career, the offense looked the best in the game's final quarter as the team put together two touchdown drives and managed to pull out the win, 24-17.
While the team sits at 4-2 and second in the AFC North, Steeler Nation is still anxious throughout the week as they know that regardless of the record and improved play, come Sunday their hearts will be beating over 100 beats per minute because of the stress watching the Steelers play.
Steelers Excel In One Score Games, But Is That Sustainable?
Each of the team's four wins have come in one score games, while both of their loses were blowouts that the Steelers lost by several scores. Every year the media always talks about how winning a large amount one score games is a tough way to survive, and not necessarily repeatable from year to year. However, this appears to be a way the Steelers are comfortable winning, and they practice these high pressure situations heavily as they expect to be in these close games.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Second year running back Jaylen Warren had his first touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter in Week 7 to tie the game for the Steelers.
In speaking with the media leading up to their Week 8 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin talked about how the team has the correct mindset to win these games.
"I think the mindset of our team is whatever it takes to win," Austin said. "As [Head Coach] Mike [Tomlin] likes to say, they don't blink when we get in tough situations. That allows us to still play well and to make the plays that are needed at the end of a game."
There is no doubting that both sides of the ball has seemed to play their best in the fourth quarter this season, which while frustrating when the first three quarters are lackluster, isn't necessarily a bad thing to end the game strong. In the NFL however, Austin said these close games should be expected.
"I think that's why we win so many games that are close and tight, but we expect that. This is the NFL, we expect hard-fought games and we expect them to go down to the last possession one way or the other. It's just our mindset that we have that ability to make those plays at that time."
Austin's reasoning isn't wrong. The Steelers are not currently a team offensively that can blow teams out, and even if they were, the NFL is a tough league to consistently do that with how even talent tends to be spread out around the league.
One person who knows all about how Head Coach Mike Tomlin prepares his group to be ready for these close games is none other than Cameron Heyward, who has been with Tomlin since he was drafted in the first round out of Ohio State in 2011.
Ben Solomon / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin signals first down after a successful QB sneak by Kenny Pickett to seal the team's Week 7 victory.
Heyward spoke about how they consistently work on situations to prepare themselves for when the game is coming down to the wire, and that is why they are comfortable and able to perform at a high level.
"We practice it," Heyward said this week. "It comes from our practice, Mike T setting up the drills; seven shots, two-minute drills. You prepare yourself for those moments. Guys have been doing it for a long time, Minkah [Fitzpatrick], T.J. [Watt], Kenny just got here, but he was doing it in college. The mental makeup of this group is find ways to win. And we don't apologize for it."
This mental toughness that Heyward mentions is definitely something every team wishes they could have, but one only a few possess. With the Steelers having one of the youngest offenses in the league, to be able to put together their best performances late in the game is impressive and should be a sign of good things to come for the future.
What do you think about the Steelers consistently being in close games coming down to the last few possessions? Do you think this a sustainable way to win? Let us know below!
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