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PITTSBURGH — This time, JuJu Smith-Schuster saved his dancing for the locker room.
The Pittsburgh Steelers large receiver who drew the ire of opponents and an admonition from head coach Mike Tomlin lately for TikToking his strikes on the midfield emblem throughout warmups celebrated the tip of a three-game successful streak in decidedly on-brand style.
Sporting newly minted AFC North champion hats and T-shirts, Smith-Schuster and a handful of teammates celebrated Pittsburgh’s gorgeous rally over Indianapolis on Sunday by placing collectively a loosely choreographed routine. It ended with rookie receiver Chase Claypool on his knees along with his arms raised in a shout that appeared like a combination of pleasure and reduction.
There’s loads to go round.
After spending the higher a part of a month doing all the things they might to show their 11-0 begin was principally smoke and mirrors, the Steelers (12-3) put collectively 20 minutes of brilliance in opposition to the Colts. They earned the franchise’s seventh division title in Tomlin’s 14 seasons. The offense scored touchdowns on three straight possessions to erase a 17-point deficit. The protection harassed Indianapolis quarterback Philip Rivers right into a late interception and an errant fourth-down heave to clinch it.
“I hope it’s one thing we will construct on,” defensive finish Cam Heyward stated. “We don’t need to play good, however we will nonetheless battle again.”
The query going ahead is which staff is the “actual” Steelers? The one which appeared disjointed and disinterested throughout a three-game dropping streak that appeared all however sure to increase to 4 after the Colts took a 24-7 lead? Or the one which spent three months flirting with perfection, then took a monthlong siesta earlier than providing a spirited reminder within the fading afternoon daylight at Heinz Subject?
The playoffs will present the reply. For now, the Steelers can (briefly) chill out realizing their postseason will start at house and the shape confirmed throughout a franchise record-setting begin remains to be in there someplace.
“We’ve been by some adversity,” Tomlin stated. “However simply development within the midst of that. Hopefully, these destructive experiences can impress us, man, and strengthen us as we transfer ahead. We acquired some huge battles that lie forward.”
What’s working
The deep ball, part of the offense that had gone lacking for weeks, returned in opposition to the Colts. Roethlisberger unsuccessfully tried to dink-and-dunk his means downfield within the first half, then the Steelers lastly generated some momentum after going up-tempo within the third quarter.
Roethlisberger’s numbers after halftime — 23 of 29 for 244 yards and three touchdowns — had been harking back to his scorching opening stretch of the season. It helped that his receivers, from Smith-Schuster to Diontae Johnson to tight finish Eric Ebron, held onto the ball. Johnson’s diving 39-yard scoring seize late within the third quarter was the spark that lit the flames of the comeback and offered a reminder of what the Steelers are able to when Roethlisberger is time to do his job.
What’s not
Perhaps they need to simply bail on the working recreation solely. Pittsburgh mustered 20 yards on the bottom on 14 carries (not counting kneel-downs). Whereas James Conner’s return from a quadriceps harm helped immensely within the passing recreation, he ran for 20 yards on 5 carries. Benny Snell’s wildly uneven season continued. Per week after piling up 84 yards in opposition to Cincinnati, Snell’s six carries resulted in zero yards.
Fill up
Is likely to be time for outdoor linebacker T.J. Watt clear room on his mantle for the Defensive Participant of the Yr Award, and do-everything nickel again Mike Hilton to clear room in his checking account for a elevate. Watt had two sacks for an NFL-best 15, together with a strip-sack of Rivers that Hilton recovered to arrange Pittsburgh’s first landing. Hilton, set to change into a free agent, additionally picked off Rivers within the fourth quarter.
Inventory down
The particular groups had been a robust swimsuit in September and October. Not a lot anymore. They had been flagged 4 occasions in opposition to the Colts and the punt protection unit let Indianapolis returner Nyheim Hines common 21.0 yards per return.
Accidents
The Steelers escaped comparatively unscathed. Nonetheless, kicker Chris Boswell’s hip, which pressured him to be inactive for the second time in a month, is a priority. Alternative Matthew Wright was good on 4 extra-point makes an attempt however lacks Boswell’s field-goal vary and skill to place the ball ultimately zone on kickoffs.
Key quantity
1 — gamers in franchise historical past with a number of seasons of at the very least 14 sacks after Watt’s two takedowns of Rivers. Watt’s 15 sacks are one shy of the staff report set by linebacker James Harrison in 2008 when Harrison was Defensive Participant of the Yr.
Subsequent steps
Work out who to sit down heading into the regular-season finale in Cleveland subsequent weekend. The Steelers are assured of ending no decrease than the third seed, rendering the sport in opposition to the Browns comparatively meaningless for Pittsburgh. The Browns, in contrast, have to win to finish an 18-year playoff drought.
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