The Pittsburgh Steelers started the season 2-6 and somehow rallied their way back into playoff contention and are just a couple of dominoes from falling from sneaking into the NFL postseason. The Steelers field a team of a very young core, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The team has fought hard to stay alive in games and made the necessary stops and plays to get back to 8-8 going into Week 18 against the Cleveland Browns with a chance to snag the AFC's 7th seed.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) celebrates a defensive play against the Detroit Lions in a 2022 preseason game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers superstar LB TJ Watt knows the Steelers have to win against the Browns and then wait on the outcomes of the following games:
- New England Patriots (8-8) @Buffalo Bills (12-3)
- Miami Dolphins (8-8) vs. New York Jets (7-9)
First and foremost, the Steelers have to take care of business at home against the Browns and then hope the Patriots and the Dolphins lose.
"We're still alive. We still have a pulse," said Watt via Steelers.com. "We're trying to win this game and see where the chips fall. You can't go into a game tight. We want to be loose. We had a really good week of practice. We are young, but we've been very, very focused. And each week, we've gotten more focused. I don't want guys being super tight going into this game."
Even though they're young, Watt's confidence in the locker room has not wavered, even after falling to 2-6 at the halfway point in the season.
"I always feel confident in the guys in this locker room," said Watt. "It's one of those things where there was a lot of football left to be played at the time. We knew we needed to turn it around and you can go one of two ways, but we weren't going to lay down by any means."
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 1, 2023, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Watt discussed how the team has managed to turn the season around, giving credit to both sides of the ball:
"I think it's defensively stopping the run, making tackles, creating splash," said Watt. "Offensively, we've been able to possess the ball and keep the defense off the field. When we get on the field, we're able to get stops and I think that's just been a key to it all. But more than anything, we're just a young team. We had a rough start to the season, but we've been able to grow each and every week and that's something that we've continued to be able to do and hopefully continue to do."
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 22: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns rushes ahead of Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
After a rough first look at the Browns' rushing attack, Steelers LB Robert Spillane is aware and knows the defense will have its hands full with the dynamic duo in the Browns' backfield once again. In the first meeting in Week 3, the Browns duo of Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb ran for 117 yards against the Steelers defense with Chubb leading the way with 113 yards and a score.
"They are a two-headed monster," stated Spillane. "As tough as any backfield in the NFL. I have a personal relationship with those guys. I went up against Kareem Hunt during his college career at Toledo. He was an elite college running back. He is an elite NFL running back. He has gotten better every year. Nick Chubb being one of the best backs in the league. His production speaks for itself."
"It will be a challenge. I am looking forward to it."
Will the Steelers be able to slow down the Browns rushing attack to do their part in keeping their playoff hopes alive in this final week of the 2022 season? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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