In case you forgot, Cameron Heyward would like to remind you that the Steelers are a playoff-bound team. They punched the ticket a few weeks ago despite their recent dismal fate against some of the best teams in the league. They may not get the best slot in dancing, but they will still dance.
And that’s where Hayward’s mind is heading into the final week of the regular season. “We’re getting ready for the playoffs,” he told reporters after the Steelers’ loss. Via DSEN of Pittsburgh. “That’s where I am right now, and I think everyone should be.”
To be honest, I’m not sure how Steelers fans will take this comment considering the Steelers are currently not in the playoffs. Yes, they will be in the playoffs, but the Bengals are still first. Obviously, Cameron Heyward didn’t mean to imply that he was thinking beyond the Bengals, but some may think so.
But in reality, the Bengals game is part of the Steelers’ road to the playoffs. They aren’t in a win-win situation in this division, but they need to beat the Bengals to win the AFC North. Hayward knows that, and he knows the value of home games. Therefore, his focus is on beating the Bengals and earning the highest possible playoff seeding.
With two weeks left in the NFL season, the best the Steelers can do at this point is third place. They won’t be able to get the top two seeds or be the No. 4 seed. Even if Hayward and company don’t win the AFC North, there’s still a chance they’ll be selected for one of the wild card spots.
It may not seem like much, but the Steelers have made the playoffs in four of the past five seasons. If they don’t win the AFC North this year, they will play as a wild card in three out of four games. And in each case so far, they have lost in the wild card round. In fact, Cameron Heyward has only ever won one playoff game.
The Steelers are 3-8 in the postseason since drafting Hayward in 2011. In the 2016 postseason, they won two games and advanced to the conference finals, but Hayward was injured at that time. The only Steelers playoff win he played in came a year ago thanks to Joey Porter Sr.
If the Steelers don’t win in the playoffs this season, it will be eight years since their last win. Cameron Hayward is doing well in his fight against Father Time, but he will ultimately lose. He knows this or any other year could be his last chance to succeed in the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl.
However, Hayward’s comments are also an important perspective. Although the Steelers are emerging from an ugly predicament, they are still good enough to secure a playoff spot by Week 15. They may not be able to win a district championship, but they know they are the better team. than what they have shown recently. Hayward wants to remind the Steelers of the team they used to be and the team they need to be in the playoffs.
