Win over Baltimore Ravens boosts Pittsburgh Steelers hopes for playoffs, injuries worry – NFL News
Pittsburgh Steelers’ win versus their old rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, has proved to be a confidence booster for their players as since pulling off the victory they have not just started talking of keeping their playoff opportunity alive but catching up
on with their rivals in the American Football Conference (AFC) North.
Although their real competition is with the Cincinnati Bengals who are their closest rivals on the league’s standings chart, and the Ravens are still far ahead and very much in control of AFC North, successive wins for the Steelers and losses for the Ravens
could turn things around.
This is where focus of some of their players lies. This also shows how important the Ravens’ game is for the Steelers. It is more to their old rivalry than gaining or losing on the points table. Also, since the Ravens have dominated the competitions between
the two sides traditionally, a win all of sudden has changed the mood at the Steelers.
Now a worry for them is the injured players. They want at least a pair of their injured players back in the side at earliest. They are crucial to their final push for the playoffs. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is the most important member of the squad.
His placement on the offensive line is very important, irrespective of the fact that they somehow have pulled off a win without him.
A couple of games are likely to determine their chance for the second round. The competition is so tense that all outcomes are possible at the moment. Other teams can be considered ahead of the Steelers given they maintain completely healthy and fit squads.
So, injuries are concerning for the Steelers.
Coach Mike Tomlin is hopeful of Big Ben’s comeback this season. They have tried to plot his recovery and return to action in the last week but were not successful. Although the 37-year old veteran Charlie Batch has done well to lead them to a win over the
Ravens, he is less likely to adapt to the higher pace and pressure of season-closing games, when all teams are vying to give their best.
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