The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to win their final three games of the regular season and get some help from the Tennessee Titans to squeak their way into the playoffs. Pittsburgh needed either the Titans or the Miami Dolphins to win, and Tennessee, despite their chance at the postseason already squandered, managed to end the Jacksonville Jaguars' postseason hopes. In doing so, that paved the way for the Steelers to secure a playoff berth. The players who spoke with the media after learning of the team's postseason opportunity, all spoke of how electric the atmosphere in the locker room has been. This includes special teams captain, Miles Killebrew.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers defenders Elandon Roberts (50), Mark Robinson (93), and Miles Killebrew (28) come together to make a tackle on Browns return man James Proche II during Week 11 in 2023.
Killebrew told the media that he feels like the entire team has really stepped up their level of play in the past few weeks. The Steelers, who are the seventh seed in the AFC, will match up against the Buffalo Bills who are the second seed, and play them in Buffalo. Killebrew said that he is well aware of how critical special teams plays are, especially during the playoffs.
He recognizes that everyone on the team has to do their part and knows that the Pittsburgh unit will have their work cut out for them when they meet this excellent Bills team. The team is all focused on the "task at hand" said Killebrew, and he is appreciative of the wave that the entire team is currently riding coming off that string of wins and just wants to help them continue to be successful.
Steelers Are Much More Unified Than Earlier This Season
Killebrew said that the attention to detail by this Steelers team is something that is helping them. While they have a lot of moving parts due to the tremendous number of injuries, they are keeping their eye on the prize.
He has confidence that special teams guru, Coach Danny Smith, can present a plan to the unit that will help them combat some of the explosive plays they have seen from Buffalo, particularly in their return game. Smith knows that Buffalo is also very well coached and that they are a unit that likes to take chances.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith roams the field at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA prior to a 2021 regular season matchup.
Killebrew was asked about the overall mood in the locker room and among the team, especially because they had to play a bit of a wait-and-see game to know if they made it to the playoffs or not.
"It's pretty energetic in here. I would say it's a lot different than other teams that I've been on when we made it to the playoffs. It feels different. There's a lot of excitement, a lot of energy and so I'm very optimistic with how we're going to go out and play this weekend," shared Killebrew.
Killebrew was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round in 2016. He began his career playing as the third-string strong safety, primarily helping out on special teams. When the Lions hired Head Coach Matt Patricia in 2018, they moved Killebrew to linebacker.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers captain and special teams ace, Miles Killebrew captures a view at training camp in 2022.
He signed with Pittsburgh in 2021 and during his time with the team, he has blocked punts and become known as a reliable member of this critical squad. Killebrew was even named to the 2024 Pro Bowl. During his career, Killebrew has been a part of two playoff teams. The 2016 Lions were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks. Then in 2021, he was on the Steelers squad that was led by Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback for the last time. Unfortunately, the Steelers also lost, to the Kansas City Chiefs, during the Wild Card game. He was asked what it is about this team that feels different.
"I can't really put my finger on it. I just think across the board, it just feels very cohesive. I feel like a switch was kind of flipped the last few weeks. This Steelers team that you're seeing play today is a lot different than maybe even at the beginning of the season. I think that comes with the camaraderie that's being built."
The biggest change between the Steelers team that has won the past three weeks, and the team earlier this season is at quarterback. Second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett has been out injured. After dropping two games, backup Mitch Trubisky was benched in favor of third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph. Rudolph certainly has more professional experience, even if he doesn't have as many starts.
Since taking the field, Rudolph has led the Steelers to not only win, but to put up 30 or more points on the board for the first time since last season. He has been spreading the ball around to all of his receivers and not even the stifling Baltimore Ravens defense was able to totally shut him down in Week 18. While the starting quarterback for the Bills game has not been named yet, it is hard to imagine moving away from Rudolph at this point.
"I would say as a team, it's really exciting in this building today. I can't wait to see how this week plays out. But ultimately, I'm really encouraged by how everyone seems to have each other's backs and you know the next man up mentality, it's been on display."
While Killebrew gave a lot of credit to the excellent Bills special teams squad, this Steelers group ranks higher overall than Buffalo. Pittsburgh will have to continue to focus on the basics and avoid making any costly errors, like running up penalties.
What do you think is the difference that Killebrew is hinting at? Do you think it is Rudolph? Click to comment below.
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