Jan 3, 2016 4 min read

CLEVELAND – It wasn’t the dominant effort many would have liked after the Steelers stumbled last week at Baltimore, but it was effective.

The Steelers simply needed a win Sunday at Cleveland not just to get into the playoffs, but for their own well-being. They couldn’t afford two miscues against bad teams to close out what had to be considered a solid season prior to the loss at Baltimore.

The Steelers did what they needed to do to get out of Cleveland with a 28-12 victory and, coupled with Buffalo’s win over the New York Jets, Pittsburgh is back in the postseason.

What the Steelers do from here will define whether this season will be considered a success or failure.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a relief. All we could do was control what we could control,” said defensive end Cameron Heyward. “You’ve got to thank the Bills for doing their part. We can’t take this for granted. We have to make the most of this situation. We’re going to play some quality teams from here on out.”

That they are.

And if the Steelers are going to get their first playoff victory since the 2010 postseason, then must play better than they have the past two games.

Nobody knows that better than quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

“We need to be perfect,” said Roethlisberger. “We need to be great. We need to be that way as a team. It’s going to be a conversation I have with the team to let them know. The postseason is a different season. You’re going to have to do your best, throw out all of the records, throw out where you are playing. Everybody has to be ready to step up and be ready to go.”

The majority of the players on this roster haven’t experienced playoff success. Of the 53 players on the active roster, only eight were around when the Steelers lost to Green Bay in Super Bowl XL. Six current players were on the roster when the Steelers beat Arizona in the Super Bowl in 2008.

There’s not a lot of positive playoff experience.

“We’re happy to be in, but we’ve got to be more than that,” said tight end Heath Miller, one of those few players who have experienced a playoff victory. “We have to come in with a plan and looking to do something.”

Can they?

The last two games – a pair of struggles against bad teams – might suggest they cannot. But the stretch of football they played prior to losing to Baltimore and then sneaking past Cleveland suggests the Steelers are capable. After all, it was just three weeks ago that the Steelers were considered a team “nobody wants to face” in the playoffs, by many national analysts.

This is still a dangerous team. As head coach Mike Tomlin said after the loss to the Ravens, they’re capable of beating or losing to any team in the league, depending on how well they protect the football.

And that’s currently an issue.

With two more interceptions against Cleveland, Roethlisberger has thrown six interceptions in the last three games. That’s too many for a quarterback of his skill level and experience.

This team will go where Roethlisberger takes it, especially if running back DeAngelo Williams, who suffered a sprained ankle in the second quarter Sunday, is unable to play next weekend.

It seems simplistic, but it’s true.

And don’t think for a minute that it doesn’t bother Roethlisberger that he has lost three consecutive playoff games.

The Steelers have shown great resilience getting to 10-6 with a roster that was ravaged by injuries. But the season will be defined by what happens in the coming weeks.

“We’re not trying to make broad, sweeping statements about who and what we are,” said Tomlin. “We know who we are. We know what we’re capable of. I think it’s just more appropriate that we show you with how we perform.”

It seems a pretty simplistic approach after a 16-game season, but it’s completely true.

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.