PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Preparing for Baltimore is a tremendous challenge, but in some ways Thursday in Cleveland is as tricky for the 8-2 Steelers.
"When you have back-to-back division games, it is significant, but also to have back to back division games, and the second one be on a short week on the road, that has our attention and urgency, from a lot of perspectives," Tomlin said.
This week has the Steelers head coach wondering how many physical reps do you go through over the next two days? He called that decision a calculated risk. You want to give players needed rest, but you need to make sure they are focused on the next task, no matter how taxing it is on your body.
What Tomlin said he won't do with a short week is just default to their basic plays to try to give the team a break. Tomlin said in planning for Cleveland, a team that is familiar with you, you need be prepared. He still wrestles with how much to put into the game plan. How innovative can they be? Do they try and press the envelope with what they can install in basically one day of practice?
"You know, you manage the balancing act of getting them in the stadium, physically prepared, while at the same time preserving them, acknowledging that they were in a significant, physical football game (Sunday)," Tomlin said. "So we've got that decision to make, and then how to best utilize the last 24 hours."
"We go to Cleveland on Wednesday. Oftentimes when you travel on the road that last 24 hours is loosely organized, not necessarily so on a short week, how we organize that time, how we utilize that time, players and coaches, I think, will be significant in terms of determining our readiness. And so those are some of the things that have my attention as I quickly transition to this prep."
The teams are similar in that they have new quarterbacks and offensive coordinators this season. Tomlin said he's spending all the time he can trying to get a sense of what Ken Dorsey wants to do with the Cleveland offense, particularly with Jameis Winston at quarterback.
The 30-year-old threw for 395 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Saints in a 35-14 loss. Two weeks ago, he threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns in an upset win over the Ravens.
Tomlin said he's seen Dorsey work in Buffalo, but now with a different quarterback the last three game tapes weigh a lot more with him as the central play caller with Winston at quarterback.
It's Tomlin's sign of respect the last two weeks to use a title with the best player on the other team. Last week it was facing Mr. Jackson with Baltimore and now it's Mr. Chubb. Cleveland tailback Nick Chubb 'has our attention'.
In his last couple of games against the Steelers, Chubb as averaged over 6.4 yards per rush. He's had his best game since his return from a major knee injury against the Saints with 11 carries for 50 yards.
First place Steelers at the last place Browns, seems like a simple enough game, but it's not.
