The Pittsburgh Steelers had each purpose to concern the worst. T.J. Watt’s pursuit of Jalen Hurts ended with the star linebacker briefly hopping earlier than he crumbled to the turf within the fourth quarter towards the Philadelphia Eagles and clutched his left ankle.
A extremely anticipated cross-state matchup with Philadelphia had already changed into a dud for Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Dropping Watt for an prolonged stretch with the AFC North nonetheless at stake would have been a brutal blow — particularly with a matchup towards the Baltimore Ravens looming on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities app).
Watt stated after the sport he was in “wait-and-see” mode for that sport. The 30-year-old former Defensive Participant of the Yr got here away with a rolled ankle that he did not essentially consider was a severe damage.
Watt, who leads the Steelers with 11.5 sacks, was checked out within the medical tent and didn’t return.
Watt and the remainder of the Steelers’ protection could not put sufficient stress on Hurts or decelerate DeVonta Smith and A.J Brown — every of whom topped 100 yards receiving — in a 27-13 loss to the Eagles.
The Steelers (10-4) clinched a playoff berth because of losses by Indianapolis and Miami.
“No comfort,” Watt stated.
The Ravens path their division rivals by one sport, and the groups play Saturday at Baltimore.
Russell Wilson led the Steelers to the division lead thanks partly to 6 wins towards groups that presently have shedding data.
The schedule toughens up down the stretch and the primary check was a catastrophe.
“We have to discover methods to get off” the sphere, Watt stated. “We have been fairly good all 12 months lengthy on three-and-outs and getting off the sphere on third downs. We weren’t ok at this time. There have been a variety of lengthy, sustained drives.”
Wilson threw for a season-low 128 yards and fell to 6-1 lifetime towards the Eagles. After dealing with the Ravens, the Steelers then host the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and end the season at residence towards the Cincinnati Bengals.
Playoff seeding and a division title stay within the stability.
“It’s a loss. I imply, let’s not get dramatic,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stated.
But it surely wasn’t fairly.
Wilson botched a pitch to Najee Harris within the third quarter and the Eagles recovered. That led to Hurts’ rating on a 1-yard tush push for a 27-13 lead.
“That was the play we had occurring. It simply sadly did not work out,” Wilson stated.
It was clear the Steelers missed receiver George Pickens, who leads the staff in receptions (55) and yards receiving (850) by a large margin. He missed a second straight sport with a hamstring damage.
“Having George Pickens on the market on the sphere is an efficient factor for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Wilson stated. “However both approach, we nonetheless have to reply and discover methods to make performs.”
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The Steelers additionally misplaced backup quarterback Justin Fields when took a tough hit to the stomach from security Reed Blankenship, and cornerback Donte Jackson suffered a again damage.
The accidents made it onerous for some Steelers — equivalent to Watt — to understand making the playoffs. Nonetheless, the staff’s fourth playoff appearances within the final 5 seasons did soothe some emotions contained in the locker room.
“It is an incredible factor for us. That is our expectation,” Wilson stated. “However we need to win this division, that is our aim. It is our first aim, to win the division. We have to go take it. Bought to go take it. We have to go discover a approach on the highway in Baltimore, which we all know goes to be an incredible soccer sport.”
It might be higher for the Steelers if Watt and Pickens have been alongside for the journey.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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