Dec 22, 2014 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Their spot in the postseason clinched with their 20-12 win over Kansas City Sunday, the Steelers turned their attention to the Cincinnati Bengals Monday.

With one game remaining in the regular season, the Steelers can finish with the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs with a win over the Bengals next Sunday. With a loss, they would would be the fifth seed.

While the Steelers (10-5) are happy about clinching their first playoff spot in three years, they would rather beat the Bengals and host a playoff game for the first time since the 2010 season.

To do that, they will need yet another strong effort from a much-maligned defense that has played its best over the past three weeks, holding the Bengals, Falcons and Texans, respectively, to 21, 20 and 12 points.

That doesn’t sound all that impressive until compared to what Pittsburgh’s defense did in its first 12 games, when it gave up nearly 25 points per game.

The key to their current three-game winning streak has been a run defense that has steadily improved since allowing 143 rushing yards in a 35-32 loss to New Orleans Nov. 30.

Pittsburgh limited Cincinnati’s running backs to 63 yards on 14 attempts, Atlanta’s to 70 on 17 carries and Kansas City managed just 25 yards on the ground by its running backs on 12 carries.

“I really think the overall cohesion of the unit has gotten better,” said linebacker Jason Worilds. “We understand our roles and what’s expected.”

That improved run stoppage has helped the Steelers tighten up their red zone defense. Pittsburgh has held its last three opponents to three touchdowns in seven trips inside the 20 – including one late against Atlanta with the Steelers leading by two scores. In Pittsburgh’s first 12 games, opponents scored touchdowns on 22 of 38 trips inside the 20, a 58 percent rate.

Improved health has been part of that effort.

The resurgence of the run defense has coincided with nose tackle Steve McClendon’s return from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for four out of six games in the middle of the season.

“Having Steve is a big plus. He’s a big, fast versatile guy,” said defensive end Cam Heyward. “But it’s everybody buying in. We’re not making those silly mistakes, silly execution plays. We’re trusting our teammates.”

The current winning streak also coincides with rookie Stephon Tuitt’s insertion into the starting lineup after Brett Keisel was lost for the season.

Tuitt recorded his first sack against the Chiefs and forced the game’s lone turnover on a fumble.

The Steelers also got outside linebacker James Harrison back after a two-game absence with a knee injury suffered against New Orleans.

Harrison dominated Kansas City left tackle Eric Fisher and was a big part of a defensive effort that limited Jamaal Charles and backup Knile Davis. Harrison finished with seven tackles, two of which were for a loss, and 1.5 sacks.

It was a strong performance by the 36-year-old former NFL Defensive Player of the Year. But Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t about to say it was one of Harrison’s best games.

“You guys have to remember the mid-2000s (and) the type of animal that he was,” said Tomlin. “I’ll take the guy that played (Sunday). James plays with a great deal of emotion and desire. He’s got great football character. Obviously he’s got a lot of talent. But he’s got 36-37-year-old talent as opposed to late 20-year-old talent like he used to have and there’s a difference.”

The same could be said of a defense that was seen as something that might hold the Steelers back if it reached the postseason. Now, it suddenly looks like it might be part of a winning equation in the playoffs.

“We’re heading in the right direction,” said Harrison.

Odds and end zones

Tomlin said Monday that left tackle Kelvin Beachum (lower back) and linebacker Vince Williams (ankle) could be limited in practice early in the week but are expected to play against the Bengals. … Safety Troy Polamalu (knee), tight end Matt Spaeth (elbow) and corner Ike Taylor (shoulder/forearm) will be limited as well after sitting out against the Chiefs.