What’s more important, going into the playoffs healthy or going into the playoffs with a higher seed and a home game?
That’s a topic that has spanned all shows on The Fan over the past day or so.
With key pieces of the offense and defense both mending injuries and their status for a potential division-clinching game against Baltimore in question, the Steelers have a dilemma.
Wide receiver George Pickens is dealing with a hamstring injury and linebacker T.J.
Watt has an ankle issue.
The Steelers were not favored hardly any expert to be close to winning the AFC North title, but a win will give them their first division championship since 2020.
But, is it better to have a healthier team or a better seed?
Head Coach Mike Tomlin said during his news conference that all available players will play and that the goal in front of them is to win a division championship.
Does that mean that Pickens and Watt play at 80 percent? Does it need to be 90 percent?
Chris Mueller says it doesn’t matter if the team is 11-6 or 10-7 going into the first round of the playoffs, especially if they lose.
Andrew Fillipponi says NFL teams want a division championship. They want the banner and the merchandise that comes with it.
Poni adds that if the Steelers in the division, but lose in the first round (and it’s close) it’s a successful year. He also says winning a playoff game is a lot more important than winning a division.
Joe Starkey says over the past seven seasons, it hasn’t mattered where the Steelers entered the playoffs, losing to the Jaguars in 2017 and Browns in 2020 (years they won the division).
“Do you look back and say, ‘wow, that was a pretty good year…2017’ . . . but Blake Bortles came in here and destroyed them,” said Starkey. “It’s all about what happens after the regular season.”
Bob Pompeani says a division title isn’t something that should be diminished but “you gotta win when it matters.”
Adam Crowley went a step further and called for Tomlin’s job if they Steelers lose in the first round of the playoffs.
That’s not going to happen and if the Steelers win a division title, Tomlin absolutely isn’t going anywhere.
Pomp says it’s about taking the steps one at a time.
Win the division
Get a home game
Win a playoff game
Go from there.