Steelers face big challenges

second half of the season, the finale at home against Cincinnati, whom they beat most recently.

“This time of year it’s unheard of to have three division games in a row,” tackle Marcus Gilbert said. “It’s going to be tough, but as long as we handle these next two, I think we’ll be in good shape.”

The Steelers are trying to win their third consecutive division title, fourth in five years and make it five playoff berths in a row. A year ago they moved into first by themselves for good at 4-2 and never looked back on a 133 season. They were in and out of first in 2016 over the first 12 games before taking over by themselves at 8-5 on the way to finishing with a sevengame win streak to go 115. No other division team made the playoffs the past two years.

“We need to peak at the right time,” guard David DeCastro said. “When the weather starts changing, it’s almost like something clicks. I don’t know what it is, it seems we have a slow start and the cold weather kicks in and it’s all right let’s go.”

DeCastro said he wasn’t aware the Steelers had moved into first place Sunday without playing.

“Every week is different in this league. Some teams start out fast and fall out. Others will be the opposite.”

The strength of schedule can change with those ebbs and flows. A few weeks ago, the Steelers schedule over the second half of their season looked repressive. Some of those teams, however, have looked wretched lately, starting with Jacksonville, where they play Nov. 18.

The Jaguars, who beat them twice last season behind good performances from quarterback Blake Bortles and halfback Leonard Fournette, suddenly look punchless on offense. Bortles was benched Sunday as the Jaguars lost their third in a row, scoring a total of 28 points in those games. Fournette is out with a hamstring injury, and when he will return is unknown, although it looks as if he might be ready to play the week before they play the Steelers.

Games at Denver (3-4) and Oakland (1-5) don’t look as difficult as they once were. After playing Nov. 4 at Baltimore, the Steelers have all but one of their more difficult opponents at Heinz Field — the Chargers (5-2), Patriots (5-2) and Bengals (4-3). They play Dec. 23 at New Orleans (5-1).

“All we know is we control our destiny,” Gilbert said.

“We have to go out and do our part and hopefully all the dominoes will fall our way.”

They certainly did this past Sunday.