Wednesday, December 4
Knowing what to expect: Watching film is always a major part of Cameron Heyward's week, studying the upcoming opponent inside and out from pretty much every game they have played this season.
This week, it's a little different.
Yes, Heyward will be studying film big time, it will just be a little bit more concise.
Knowing what to expect: The Steelers are playing the Browns for the second time in a three-week span, so it will be more of a refresher course and spending time on the last two games the Browns have played, which includes the Thursday night contest against the Steelers.
"Personally, I feel like I don't have to go back and watch X amount of games," said Heyward. "We are pretty familiar with them being a division opponent, playing so close (together). You know what to expect.
"But you definitely have to watch the last game we played to understand where we came up short and approach it where we've got to get better."
The Browns offense has been putting up some big numbers with quarterback Jameis Winston under center, and Heyward knows they have to be on the lookout for what he does, and a whole lot more.
"They put up over 500 yards last week, just a couple of days ago," said Heyward of the Browns loss to the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. "So, they're definitely humming.
"They have playmakers on every level, (David) Njoku, Jerry Jeudy, (Nick) Chubb, and you can't forget about (Jerome) Ford. They can definitely get the ball forward.
"We have to be on our Ps and Qs. They've just grown a lot with having Jameis at the helm and he is slicing and dicing."
Heyward, who is having one of his best seasons and is among the top vote getters for the Pro Bowl, said it's a combination of things that have him playing at the level he is.
First on that list, though, is his health.
"Being healthy, technique, film study," said Heyward. "I think that's all included
"And the desire to just keep trying to get better."
Another opportunity: If there is one thing you must have in the NFL, it's a short memory.
But short memory or not, those in the Steelers locker room want to make amends for the loss against the Cleveland Browns just two weeks ago, a 24-19 defeat on Thursday Night Football.
The Steelers have the opportunity to turn things around this week when they host the Browns at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, and the key for them is treating this game like every other one.
"We're just happy that we're getting another opportunity," said linebacker Elandon Roberts. "Hats off to them. They played a good game. We get another opportunity to see them at Acrisure this Sunday."
The Steelers are coming off a 44-38 win over the Bengals this past week, while the Browns lost to the Denver Broncos, 41-32, despite an offensive explosion.
Quarterback Jameis Winston completed 34 passes for 497 yards and four touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns.
"If you saw the game (Monday night, you saw what they're capable of with [Ken] Dorsey as a play caller and Winston as a quarterback," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "There was some explosive play making, they went up and down the field. [Jerry] Jeudy had a big night.
"That's what I meant when I described him as a gunslinger a couple of weeks ago when we played him. He's got unbelievable arm talent. He was the first pick in the draft, and you're not the first pick in the draft for no reason. He's got arm strength, he's got accuracy, he's got trajectory. He can place the ball just about anywhere on the field.
"He's a big-time competitor to boot. He never turns down competition. He's going to fight to win possession downs and things of that nature, man. We've got to do a really good job of matching that competitive spirit, making our plays, knowing that there's a potential that you could give some up when a guy comes at you the way he does, and with the with the amount of weaponry that he has at his disposal."
Roberts is right in tune with what Tomlin says, knowing what Winston is capable of, but he also knows the ground game can kill you too.
"They're still running the ball well, and they're still running the ball a lot," said Roberts. "Jameis, when you say gunslinger, he knowns when to sling it and when and not to. He's doing a great job over there complementing that offense and whatnot. He's been like that his whole career, since coming out of Florida State. It's not surprising how he's displaying the ball in the air and stuff like that.
"But I think from a complementary side, their offense has been doing a great job of mixing in runs and getting explosive runs. I think their running back by committee is doing a great job. At the same time, when your quarterback catches hot like Jameis did in this past game, you've got to keep feeding them."
This will be the fourth straight AFC North game the Steelers will play, and Roberts said it's not something they think about. They just go out and play.
"We didn't really put our focus around it," said Roberts. "We want to handle what was in front of us. Whatever game that week was, that's all we could control. That's why this week with the Browns, it's all we can control."
A killer approach: Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. had six penalties called against him in Sunday's game against the Bengals, four of which were accepted.
Coach Mike Tomlin said part of it was due to going against Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, but Tomlin knows Porter has to keep bringing that physical style, and he has the mentality to do it.
"He's got a serial killer's mentality, but if you're going to be a top-flight corner, you better," said Tomlin. "And that's probably one of the things that I knew about him because of our personal relationship that really made me comfortable drafting him.
"It's not fake, it's real. He's not running from the fight. He's running to the fight. You better have a short memory at that position, and he's always had it. He was probably nine or 10 when I met him, and he had it."
Porter said Tomlin never said that to him, but he understands where he is coming from.
"He just knows that I don't really get knocked off my pivot, knocked off my game too much," said Porter. "Things happen. He knows I like to bounce back, prove myself again. So that's what I've got to do this upcoming Sunday."
Porter said he watched the tape in reference to the penalties, and knows there is some work he has to do.
"I still feel confident how I'm playing," said Porter. "I watched the tape. There's not really guys that are beating, that's getting a lot of separation.
"They're just calls that I need to work on myself and know that I just got to get better. At the end of the day, I'm trying to be great. And I know to do that, I've got to clean up with the stuff I've been doing. I've just got to keep working."
Stepping up for their cause: Steelers players can often be seen wearing custom cleats during pregame warmups, but this week against the Cleveland Browns, custom cleats will be the norm during the game.
For the ninth straight year the NFL is allowing players to represent a charity that touches them deeply in a unique manner with the league's player cause initiative, My Cause My Cleats.
The initiative was created for NFL players to showcase a charitable cause in order to bring attention to it, and the players take part in helping with the design of their cleats.
After the players wear the cleats, they have the option to auction them off to raise money for their cause on NFL Auction, with 100% of the funds raised given to the charity. Fans may bid on player cleats at NFL.com/Auction.
Learn more about players causes: ---> My Cause My Cleats
During Week 14 of the 2024 NFL season, Steelers players are showcasing their chosen charitable cause on their game cleats
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (67) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lanihun-Anderson Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (67) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lanihun-Anderson Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (67) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lanihun-Anderson Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (67) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lanihun-Anderson Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (67) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lanihun-Anderson Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (67) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lanihun-Anderson Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Autism Speaks during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Autism Speaks during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Autism Speaks during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Autism Speaks during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Autism Speaks during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Autism Speaks during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cerebral Palsy Awareness during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cerebral Palsy Awareness during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cerebral Palsy Awareness during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cerebral Palsy Awareness during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cerebral Palsy Awareness during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cerebral Palsy Awareness during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) will showcase his custom cleats supporting WVU Medicine Children's Hospital during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) will showcase his custom cleats supporting WVU Medicine Children's Hospital during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) will showcase his custom cleats supporting WVU Medicine Children's Hospital during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) will showcase his custom cleats supporting WVU Medicine Children's Hospital during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) will showcase his custom cleats supporting WVU Medicine Children's Hospital during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) will showcase his custom cleats supporting WVU Medicine Children's Hospital during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook (60) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook (60) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook (60) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook (60) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook (60) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook (60) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Reid Landry Garrant foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Reid Landry Garrant Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Reid Landry Garrant Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Reid Landry Garrant Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Reid Landry Garrant Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Reid Landry Garrant foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Herbie Gives during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Herbie Gives during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Herbie Gives during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Herbie Gives during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Herbie Gives during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Herbie Gives during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) will showcase his custom cleats supporting the Heyward House during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) will showcase his custom cleats supporting the Heyward House during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) will showcase his custom cleats supporting the Heyward House during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) will showcase his custom cleats supporting the Heyward House during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) will showcase his custom cleats supporting the Heyward House during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) will showcase his custom cleats supporting the Heyward House during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) will showcase his custom cleats supporting the Heyward House during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Alex Highsmith Family Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Alex Highsmith Family Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Alex Highsmith Family Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Alex Highsmith Family Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Alex Highsmith Family Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Alex Highsmith Family Foundation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cafe Momentum Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cafe Momentum Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cafe Momentum Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cafe Momentum Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cafe Momentum Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cafe Momentum Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Logan Lee (61) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Athletes in Action during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Logan Lee (61) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Athletes in Action during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Logan Lee (61) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Athletes in Action during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Logan Lee (61) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Athletes in Action during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Logan Lee (61) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Athletes in Action during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Logan Lee (61) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Athletes in Action during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cancer Bridges during Week 14 (Taylor Ollason/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cancer Bridges during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cancer Bridges during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cancer Bridges during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cancer Bridges during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Cancer Bridges during Week 14 (Taylor Ollason/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum (62) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Wounded Warrior Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum (62) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Wounded Warrior Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum (62) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Wounded Warrior Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum (62) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Wounded Warrior Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum (62) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Wounded Warrior Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum (62) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Wounded Warrior Project during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) will showcase his custom cleats supporting American Heart Association during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) will showcase his custom cleats supporting American Heart Association during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) will showcase his custom cleats supporting American Heart Association during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) will showcase his custom cleats supporting American Heart Association during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) will showcase his custom cleats supporting American Heart Association during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) will showcase his custom cleats supporting American Heart Association during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ayo Oyelola (17) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lives not Knives during Week 14 (Taylor Ollason/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ayo Oyelola (17) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lives not Knives during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ayo Oyelola (17) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lives not Knives during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ayo Oyelola (17) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lives not Knives during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ayo Oyelola (17) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lives not Knives during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ayo Oyelola (17) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Lives not Knives during Week 14 (Taylor Ollason/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Glimmer of Hope during Week 14 (Taylor Ollason/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Glimmer of Hope during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Glimmer of Hope during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Glimmer of Hope during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Glimmer of Hope during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Glimmer of Hope during Week 14 (Taylor Ollason/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Jasmine Nyree Center during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Jasmine Nyree Center during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Jasmine Nyree Center during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Jasmine Nyree Center during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Jasmine Nyree Center during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Jasmine Nyree Center during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Healthy Start during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Healthy Start during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Healthy Start during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Healthy Start during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Healthy Start during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Healthy Start during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Military Appreciation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Military Appreciation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Military Appreciation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Military Appreciation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Military Appreciation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Military Appreciation during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) will showcase his custom cleats supporting UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Convoy of Hope during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Convoy of Hope during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Convoy of Hope during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Convoy of Hope during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Convoy of Hope during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Convoy of Hope during Week 14 (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Responding as required: Defensive back Cam Sutton knows the promotion he got in Cincinnati may be temporary, but whether it proves to be or not he's willing to accept whatever role comes next.
"I'm just doing what's needed and what's required," he said. "I don't know what the plan is each and every week. I'm just doing my job."
Sutton played 45 defensive snaps in Sunday's 44-38 win over the Bengals, one more than he had played in his first three games this season combined (19 on Nov. 10 at Washington, 15 on Nov. 17 against Baltimore and 10 on Nov. 21 at Cleveland).
This time, Sutton was predominantly deployed in the five-defensive backs "nickel" sub-package, a role that had previously been handled by rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop and may yet be again.
"Just the complexities of what they do offensively, the fact that we were facing (quarterback) Joe Burrow," head coach Mike Tomlin explained regarding the altered division of labor in the secondary. "Some of the challenges in terms of how they move people around, I thought it would benefit us to have a more veteran guy in the interior of our sub-package, and it would aid us, not only in terms of concept recognition but communication.
"Beanie still played in the game, and he's going to be a big-time component of what we do, and we're pleased with his contributions thus far. But week in and week out, we divide the labor up in the effort to win that game, and that's why we were so excited about getting Cam back. He's a Swiss Army Knife, he's an awesome communicator. He's a high-level professional, and if you have an opportunity to utilize those talents in a game like that, it's helpful.
"There's some things that Beanie does better than him, and so it's just really cool to have viable, capable guys for circumstances. We're going to divide the labor up as we see fit in an effort to position ourselves to win football games, and in that case, play good defense."
Sutton, an eighth-year pro, spent his first six seasons with the Steelers and the 2023 campaign with Detroit.
He made his debut this season when the Steelers visited the Commanders after serving an eight-game NFL suspension.
"This is like Week Five for me, you know what I mean?" he said. "I'm just flowin' with it, man, and just ready to roll and keep playing for the guys. It's not about me, it's about these guys. I'm just playing and just here for them."
The defense allowed a season-high 31 points at Cincinnati (seven resulted from a pick-six against the offense) but also turned the Bengals' high-octane, combustible offense over three times, including a fumble return for a touchdown by rookie inside linebacker Payton Wilson. So from a defensive perspective, enough boxes got checked.
"In a sense," Sutton allowed. "Obviously, our job at the end of the day is limiting points. You feel good about winning but at the end of the day it's all about getting back to our basics, the foundations of what makes us what we want to be as a great defense.
"Obviously, you do have those outlier games, the opportunity for the offense to back us up this past week and they played very well just kinda playing complementary ball around the board. But we know just as a defense we just have to limit points.
"It's great for (the offense). I love that for them, obviously, just the energy and the enthusiasm for the game, enthusiasm just for your brothers. But just as a responsibility for the game, we only worry about what we can do as a defense. We just try to get the ball back for those guys."
-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta
Cast your vote: Steelers fans, it's time to vote. And make sure you do it early, and often.
For your favorite Steelers players that is.
Pro Bowl Games voting is underway in the NFL and it's up to you to get Steelers players their well-deserved spot.
The traditional Pro Bowl game has been replaced by days of activities, which will culminate with an AFC vs. NFC Flag Game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, February 2.
Leading into the game there will be fun-filled and unique skill competitions, giving fans a different look at all of the league's top players.
Fans can vote for their favorite Steelers players now through Dec. 23. A social aspect of voting will be available on "X" beginning on Dec. 9. Fans can vote directly on "X" (formerly Twitter) by posting the first and last name of the player, tagging the player's official "X" handle or creating a hashtag including the player's first and last name. All three of these methods must include the hashtag: #ProBowlVote. During the final two days (Dec. 22 – Dec. 23), social votes will count as double.
Cast your votes today.
Click on the links to go to the Steelers page and vote for players below as well.
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
