PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s hard not to hear, especially a national outlook on the NFL, about how the Steelers are 6-3, but not that good. Whether they are considered lucky or the phrase of doing it with smoke and mirrors. Few seriously think the Steelers are a challenge for the AFC title.
“Who the heck is saying that,” said Steelers captain Cam Heyward. “I don’t think anyone is talking to me and saying it. If they are, they are going to feel dumb for saying it to me.”
The criticism is understandable, no one has ever seen anything like this in the history of the league. Never has a team been 6-3 after being outgained in every game. The offense especially has been inconsistent, although improving. Defense has dealt with injuries and struggled itself at times.
“We understand that we are still scratching and clawing at the surface, but so much football to play,” Peterson said. “A lot of good opponents in front of us to really see what we have and what we learned from in those first eight, nine games of the season.”
“It doesn’t matter, no one is going to remember in 10 years what the scores were, outcomes of games,” said Steelers captain TJ Watt. “It’s all about wins and losses. Each and every week, we are just trying to get the job done.”
“That doesn’t mean we aren’t trying to get style points, but we understand there is so much more good football that is left in the tank for us. We are not trying to peak right now, but we are trying to continually trend in the right direction.”
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“Who are they judging, they’re not in this,” Heyward said. “Smoke and mirrors, screw you. We’ve worked too hard for this. These guys dedicate their lives and we try to be a good defense.”
“Smoke and mirrors, I think that’s a cloud of smoke.”
“Coach (Tomlin) says it best each and every week,” Peterson said. “Our business is winning, and we are winning.”