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Within the latter levels of what in the end performed out as a “loopy yr,” between a win over Baltimore and a loss to Washington in early December, guard David DeCastro acknowledged the toll of adhering to COVID-19 protocols, the dearth of followers within the stands, the uncertainty hanging over the season, and the way “it felt useless on the market a little bit bit” towards the Ravens.
“You are a little bit bit like, ‘What are we even doing out right here?'” DeCastro admitted then.
However with the playoffs at hand such feelings are now not a priority.
“I am excited,” DeCastro insisted this week. “Playoff time, if you cannot get excited for this then you definitely may need one thing fallacious with you.”
The Steelers have not made it this far for the reason that 2017 season, they usually have not gained a postseason sport since their run to the AFC Championship Sport on the conclusion of the 2016 marketing campaign.
Their opponent Sunday evening at Heinz Area, the Cleveland Browns, hasn’t tasted the playoffs for the reason that 2002 season and has an opportunity to advance towards a division rival and the group Cleveland beat in final Sunday’s regular-season finale.
Should you hear arduous sufficient, you may hear the voice of Invoice Parcells from an aging-but-unforgettable NFL Movies eavesdrop.
“Hey, fellas, that is what you’re employed all offseason for. That is why you elevate all them weights.”
No surprise “urgency” has been the phrase of the week for the Steelers.
It has been some time, too lengthy.
And the following such alternative might be a very long time coming, if in any respect.
“I inform folks, ‘I have been within the league for 4 years, that is my second time making it. Do not take it as a right,” vast receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster stated. “It is arduous to get the place we’re, within the postseason.
“Be sure that each play counts.”
From a first-quarter further level to a last-second discipline purpose try.
From second-and-10 on the game-opening possession to fourth-and-inches with seconds left.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger understands.
He is gained the Tremendous Bowl twice and he is been there thrice.
However he’ll take the sphere at Heinz Area on Sunday evening not relying on ever doing so once more in a postseason setting.
“I feel each participant ought to method this playoff sport prefer it might be their final playoff sport ever,” Roethlisberger maintained. “We have used examples of gamers and coaches who’ve been on this league for a very long time which have by no means been within the postseason, by no means been to a Tremendous Bowl, no matter it could be.
“I feel it is prudent for each participant to take that mindset and method. I do know I’m as a result of nothing is assured within the sport, or this world.”
A win ensures solely a one-week extension of the season.
It is that point of the yr on the NFL calendar the place alternative and finality conflict.
“This sport proper right here, all of the dadgum playing cards are on the desk,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler noticed.
Added head coach Mike Tomlin: “We’re enthusiastic about being within the match. We perceive the shortage of these items. We do not take that as a right.
“That is one of many issues that I really like most in regards to the single-elimination match, this precisions alternative to reside out and pursue our goals.”
The Steelers have been emphasizing as a lot to themselves individually and collectively all week, most likely since final Sunday’s bus trip again from Cleveland.
It is be about next-men-up and X’s & O’s and execution and emotion.
However as a lot as the rest it will be about embracing the second.
Maybe that explains why Roethlisberger gathered the offense once more on Wednesday on the sphere simply earlier than observe, and emphasised a minimum of another time what cannot be stated usually sufficient.
“We talked in regards to the urgency, that is an elimination spherical, everybody do their project,” Smith-Schuster reported. “We gotta hit first, hit tougher, hit quick.”
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