NFL

Don’t sleep on the reinforced Steelers

The Steelers obituaries written after their 0-4 start are starting to look a wee bit premature.

Pittsburgh won its second game in a row Sunday, topping the Ravens 19-16 on a field goal at the gun at Heinz Field, and the combination of their remaining schedule and their residence in the AFC North appears to set them up nicely for a second-half playoff run.

Just two of the Steelers’ next seven games are against teams currently with a winning record (New England and Detroit). And while the division-leading Bengals are 5-2, no one considers them uncatchable as long as Andy Dalton is at quarterback — especially after losing star cornerback Leon Hall for the season Sunday due to a torn Achilles tendon.

Improved health at the skill positions and a much-needed change in philosophy on offense have been key in the Pittsburgh turnaround.

Running back Le’Veon Bell and tight end Heath Miller are back, giving beleaguered Ben Roethlisberger a running game and a safety valve in the passing game. That was obvious Sunday, as Bell ran for 93 yards against the Ravens and Miller scored the Steelers’ only TD on a short reception.

More importantly, Roethlisberger and coach Mike Tomlin have forced offensive coordinator Todd Haley into a more balanced approach after his pass-happy ways nearly got Roethlisberger killed the first month of the season.

After throwing 51 passes in a 34-27 loss to the Vikings last month in London, Roethlisberger attempted just 23 passes against Baltimore. Haley called more rushes (29) than passes Sunday for the first time all season.

If that keeps up and the Steelers’ defense looks as good as it has in holding the Jets and Ravens to a combined 22 points the past two weeks, Pittsburgh could go from lost cause to postseason contender very quickly.