ST. LOUIS – Not long ago, the Steelers’ final two games against downtrodden teams appeared to be a victory lap. Now they’re sweating just a bit.
Consecutive losses to the Jaguars and Patriots have dropped the Steelers (9-5) into a tie for the AFC North lead with the Browns, making them more dependent on what the competition is doing heading into tonight’s game against the Rams.
“There’s two games left and we’re in the mix of things,” offensive tackle Alan Faneca said. “It’s time to go win a game.”
The Steelers were 7-0 at home before losing 29-22 to Jacksonville on Sunday. They’ve dropped three of their last five overall, also falling to the three-win Jets in overtime, and barely avoided becoming the first team to lose to the Dolphins.
The Steelers can clinch the division with a victory and a Browns loss at Cincinnati on Sunday, and can secure a playoff berth with a Tennessee loss. But their slide has exposed a lack of quality victories, only two coming against teams with winning records.
“We’ve been playing well at times, and other times we haven’t here late in the year,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “We need to get back on track.
“We have some pretty worn-out guys here from a long season so far, but it’s that time of the year where everyone has to kind of dig deep.”
As consolation, they won’t have to worry about a hostile road crowd this week. The Rams (3-11) are 1-6 at home and have had three games blacked out on local television amid rampant fan apathy.
On Sunday, they played before perhaps a 50-50 mix of Cheeseheads and hometowners in a 33-14 loss to the Packers. This week, for Pittsburgh’s first regular-season game in St. Louis since 1979, it’ll be the traveling Terrible Towels.
Quarterback Marc Bulger, who is from Pittsburgh and understands the Steelers’ devoted fan base, said Rams players were upset to see Packers fans not just in their dome but sitting in prime locations.
“I think just as many Steelers fans will be here as last week with Green Bay,” Bulger said.
That can’t hurt the Steelers, who are 2-4 on the road. Playing inside might be a nice change of pace, too, after the Steelers failed to capitalize on a wintry mix of snow, swirling wind, chilly temperatures and a mushy field against the Jaguars.
– AP