There are only eight NFL teams preparing for a game this weekend and Coach Mike Tomlin is happy the Steelers are one of them.
"It's awesome to be a part of the remaining eight teams," said Tomlin. "Our goal, like everyone else's, is to move on to the field of four."
The team's bye week gave the Steelers a chance to practice with the focus not on a specific opponent, but working on their own game, getting some guys extra reps, while others got some rest.
"I feel good about the work that we have done to this point in preparation for this opportunity," said Tomlin of last week's practice. "We had a great week last week of both meetings and practice. It was a week that was catered toward the needs of the group individually and collectively. Those that needed work got work. Those that needed rehabilitation and rest got that."
The focus has quickly changed, though, as they prepare for the AFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.
"We are familiar with them, they are familiar with us," said Tomlin. "Not much has changed since the last time we played them."
One difference is the Ravens will have a healthy Todd Heap this time around, to combine with other weapons on offense that include Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and Joe Flacco.
Heap was injured early on the last time the two teams played, but is back at full strength and showed that against the Kansas City Chiefs with 10 receptions for 108 yards in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs on Sunday.
"He got injured maybe the second or third play of the game when we played them last time," said Tomlin. "He is back, he is healthy. He is a multi-talented guy. He is a really good player. He is a red zone threat."
The Ravens defense also presents a challenge. They shut down the Chiefs passing game in their 30-7 win on Sunday, allowing quarterabck Matt Cassel just 70 yards passing, sacking him three times and coming up with three interceptions.
"It's just ultimate confusion when we play," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. "They're trying to confuse us and we're trying to confuse them. Their defense is all over the place. Guys are here, guys are there, all of a sudden this guy is over here and 20 guys are blitzing.
"That's the biggest thing with Baltimore. Then you add the physical stuff. I don't mind that, I can take hits. It's tough."
Tough yes, but you won't hear any complaints.
"Of course we are excited about playing these guys as always," said Tomlin. "More than anything we are excited about being in this single-elimination tournament and moving forward with our quest to be World Champs."
