The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the holiday season as basement dwellers in the AFC North standings. But last place doesn't mean eliminated in this up-for-grabs division race. In fact, their hopes of clinching a playoff spot remain very much alive.
Ten days after suffering a gut-wrenching road loss in primetime, the Steelers managed to redeem themselves at home on Sunday afternoon, outlasting the Tennessee Titans, 19-13, at Heinz Field. With the win, Pittsburgh (7-6-1) is now one game back of a wild card and one game back of first in the AFC North.
"Yesterday was one of those games where, you look at the scoreboard and you're just glad you're on the winning side," Steelers guard Trai Turner told the Tiki and Tierney show on Monday. "At this point in the season, when it gets tight -- everything is real tight with the AFC -- it's about being 1-0 each week. And if we can just go out, win our matchups, that's all that matters. It doesn't matter how we get there. We've got to scratch, claw, doesn't matter...
"Everything you want is right in front of you. And when it's right in front of you, it's just about going out there, doing what you need to do to obtain it. Can't ask to be in a better position, given our circumstances. You've got to embrace the circumstances and go out there and play ball. Let the chips fall where they may, as long as you know you did your part to put yourself in the best position."
Although the Titans' offense controlled the time of possession and ran almost twice as many plays, the Steelers delivered a clutch bend-not-break effort on defense, forcing four turnovers and limiting quarterback Ryan Tannehill to just 153 passing yards. The defensive performance was led by Minkah Fitzpatrick, who recorded a team-high 14 tackles, and pass-rusher T.J. Watt, who became the Steelers' single-season sacks leader (17.5).
Pittsburgh's path to the AFC playoffs won't be smooth, as they're scheduled to visit the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) in a marquee Week 16 matchup this coming Sunday. According to FiveThirtyEight's projections, the Steelers have a 16-percent chance to reach the playoffs and a 9-percent chance to win the division.
The entire Steelers conversation between Turner and Tiki and Tierney can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Tiki and Tierney Show on Twitter @TikiAndTierney and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.