Playoff Picture After Week 12: More DetailsIn the hunt: A week ago the Steelers didn't have to look over their shoulder. They were in control of where they stood in the playoff race as the number five seed and the top wild card team. Simply keep winning and they would be all set.
But a 39-30 loss to the Seattle Seahawks changed that. The playoff picture now has the Steelers as the number eight seed, and leaving them in need of help from others, as well as themselves.
"We don't want to be dependent on anyone to help us with our playoff hopes," said linebacker Sean Spence. "You never want to look outside of your stadium. You want to rely on yourself, not rely on others. It's a tough situation, but I think we are built for it."
The Steelers have five games remaining to get back into the mix of the six playoff teams, and they know what the approach must be to get there.
"It's all business," said receiver Martavis Bryant. "The time is now. We know we need these last five games. Everyone has to bring it.
"I know we control what we do and we want to win out. We have to come prepared and ready to play a great game."
That starts this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts in a primetime matchup at Heinz Field. The Colts lead the AFC South with a 6-5 record and are on a three-game win streak.
"It's still going to be that one week at a time approach we have to take," said guard Ramon Foster. "We can't hope and depend on other people. We have to win the games we have left and take it from there."
A tough one: It's never easy to lose, but when you drop a game you feel like you should have won, it makes it even tougher. That was the feeling from Steelers' players regarding losing to Seattle.
"We hate losing," said Bryant. "We needed this game. All we can do now is put it behind us and move forward."
It wasn't an easy flight home after the game, but the bounce back approach definitely is in full effect, as it has to be.
"It was very tough, it was frustrating," said Spence. "It felt like a game we should have won. You have to give credit to Seattle. They made the plays we didn't. Leaving that stadium there was a sour taste in our mouths knowing we should have won.
"You have to get over it. There are still five games left. There is a lot to be said, a lot to be done. You have to take that approach."
