Dec 17, 2014 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – A lack of playoff experience used to be something other NFL teams had to handle.

The Steelers? They had playoff experience at nearly every position.

After failing to make the postseason in the previous two seasons and seeing their roster overturned during that time, the Steelers head into a crucial two-game stretch to close their regular season depending on players who are largely untested in high-pressure situations.

In the AFC North, in which two victories separates first place from last and all four teams are at .500 or above, the pressure to win has gotten greater for the Steelers each week.

Considering 26 of the players on the 53-man roster never experiencing a playoff game, head coach Mike Tomlin has been happy with how his team has responded.

“It’s been a number of years since we’ve been in a significant chase with a number of our young guys,” said Tomlin. “We’ve got a number of young guys who have played quite a bit of football for us and are playing significant roles for us.

“So I’m watching those guys and watching them closely, and I like the way they’re wearing the urgency of these moments. They’re utilizing it for good. They’re not being consumed by it. They’re staying singularly focused at the task at hand as they should.”

The Steelers (9-5) have won their past two games – both on the road – and six of the past eight to put them in good position heading into its final two games at Heinz Field.

If the Steelers beat Kansas City (8-6) Sunday, they will clinch a playoff spot. Win the following week against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh will be division champions.

“We’ve just got to win; there’s really no other option that we have,” said left tackle Kelvin Beachum, a third-year player who is going through his first playoff chase.

“If we win, we’re in. If we win two, we have a home game in Pittsburgh. That hasn’t happened in a while.”

The Steelers haven’t hosted a playoff game since 2010. Not only is making the playoffs a goal but hosting a postseason game at Heinz Field is too.

The younger players on the roster have noticed a change in the veterans and the intensity of the opponents.

“When I got here, the coaches said there are levels to the season. You’ll see the intensity start to pick up. The intensity has definitely started to pick up,” said rookie defensive end Stephon Tuitt.

“I never experienced this. This is my first year. All I know is to go out there and play and give it everything I have. I can just tell by the energy and the way that we’re detailing our work that we are making that playoff push. It’s becoming more exciting.”

It has gotten more so with each passing game and figures to carry into January. At least that’s what the Steelers hope.

Wide receiver Lance Moore spoke about that subject last week at a position meeting. For the most part, the veterans on the team have encouraged the younger players to approach them and ask questions, rather than speaking about the playoff push.

Beachum said his moment came during an early-morning weight lifting session during which he and second-year safety Shamarko Thomas peppered tight ends Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth with questions.

“We asked Heath how things were in the playoffs? How were things when they got rolling? How was it being an AFC Championship game? How was it being in a Super Bowl?” Beachum said. “We’re just having those informal conversations with guys who have been there. How it felt? How it felt for their families?

“As a young guy, I kind of learned from some of the older guys, asking how it is and what it takes because I want to help those guys get another ring on their fingers before they call it quits.”

To do that, they will need to take care of some pressing business, such as continue playing winning football. Cincinnati and Atlanta entered their games against the Steelers as division leaders.

“Last year, it was kind of rough. As a rookie, I didn’t know a lot that was going on,” said linebacker Jarvis Jones. “We’re in the hunt. We’ve been playing some good football. We’re just trying to keep it going.”

The Steelers had doctors at their practice facility to speak to players regarding the mumps virus. The move was made in response to a number of NHL players, including two Penguins, recently contracting the illness. … Safeties Mike Mitchell (groin) and Troy Polamalu (knee) and tight end Matt Spaeth (elbow) did not practice Wednesday. Center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) and cornerback Ike Taylor (shoulder) were limited.