Steelers' players were like most football fans on Sunday night, they tuned in to the Bengals-Cardinals game to see their AFC North rival Bengals lose in the final seconds.
But unlike fans who were likely celebrating the Bengals loss, the players took it in stride and understood what happens with other teams is not something they can concern themselves with.
"We can't really worry about what they are doing," said defensive end Cam Heyward. "Whatever is going on over there, doesn't apply to us. It might, but we have to take care of our business to let that apply to us."
In the world of 'ifs,' the Steelers would hold the top wild card spot if the season ended today, finishing fifth overall in the AFC, and the Bengals would be the AFC North champs.
As we all know, though, there are still six games left to play, starting this Sunday against the Seahawks, but the ball is in the Steelers court. Keep winning, and the postseason will take care of itself.
"The main thing we can do is control what we control," said Heyward. "That means taking it one game at a time and trying to win each one of them."
That message was rampant in the locker room, with players knowing if they want to get into the postseason, they have to get the job done themselves.
"What happens in our stadium is what matters," said safety Mike Mitchell. "We have to control what we are doing.
"We find comfort in knowing what happens in our stadium is all that matters. We don't have to watch and look at what everyone else is doing. We can be confident if we handle our business, we will be okay."
Here is what the AFC looks like in advance of Monday night's Buffalo-New England game:
Division Leaders
New England – 9-0 – AFC East
Cincinnati – 8-2 – AFC North
Denver – 8-2 – AFC West
Indianapolis – 5-5 – AFC South
Wild Card Race Teams
Steelers – 6-4
Buffalo – 5-4
Kansas City – 5-5
Houston – 5-5
New York – 5-5
