Tomlin embraces moment
the first week, then one playoff game followed by the AFC championship at home. It’s the most reliable route to a Super Bowl berth.
The Steelers, though, were somewhat aided by that Dolphins upset of the Patriots, provided they beat New England. They actually could sew up the No. 1 seed Sunday if that happens and Jacksonville loses at home to Houston. That would render the Steelers’ final two games at Houston and home to Cleveland meaningless and make their next meaningful game not for another month — their first game in the second weekof the playoffs.
If they beat New England, and the Jaguars continue to win, the Steelers would earn the top seed with one win in their final two games.
That is why Sunday is so important, and Tomlin is embracing all of it.
“You know, to be in these type games against these type people, why would you fight that? It’s an awesome thing.”
Oddly, he compared it to being in the kitchen (perhaps an Animal House-like food fight?).
“We’re excited about being in the kitchen, if you will,” Tomlin said. “It’s good to be in the kitchen, the kitchen’s in Pittsburgh, P-A, this week in the National Football League and at Heinz Field, and that’s where you want to be in the middle of December.” Time to eat. “We don’t take it for granted. As competitors, we’re excited about it, but, as professionals, we know that preparation is going to be required.”
Another requirement will be playing defense better against New England than the Steelers defense did Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens, who scored 38 points.
It is the first time in Steelers history they allowed as many as 38 points and still won.
“We better be better than we were on Sunday night,” Tomlin said. “That just goes without saying. We can’t give up big plays and some of the things we did in that game andexpect to beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. It’s just not happening.”
The Patriots are 5- 2 against the Steelers in the regular season when Brady squares off against Ben Roethlisberger. Both of Brady’s losses came at Heinz Field, in 2004 and 2011. He beat the Steelers at Heinz Field in 2016 with Landry Jones at quarterback for the Steelers.
Brady and the Patriots are 2-0 in the playoffs against a Steelers team quarterbacked by Roethlisberger, both AFC championships. One came with Roethlisberger as a rookie in 2004 at Heinz Field, the other last season in Foxborough,Mass.
New England went on to win the Super Bowl both times and with five Lombardi Trophies, the Patriots are trying to tie the Steelers with an NFL-high six this season. The Steelers might be the only ones capable of standing in their way.