Monday, December 1
Maximizing every day: Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. saw his first action in a Steelers uniform on Sunday against the Bills, and it was the first game he played in over a year after having fusion surgery this offseason.
He got the word on Saturday that he would be activated and said while it went well for him physically, it was all about the outcome.
"They said stay ready," said Samuel. "Just take it play by play.
"We didn't win. So that's my main focus, getting the win.
"It was like riding a bike. Just getting my feet under me, just little things like that. But I felt good, we just didn't win. So that was the main focus."
Samuel, who was signed to the Steelers practice squad on Nov. 12, was elevated to the Active/Inactive roster for the game.
He played 38% of the defensive snaps, likely seeing more action with James Pierre dealing with an injury in-game.
"I was good," said Samuel of his conditioning. "I've been working hard since I got here, and then before I got here, I was working hard, making sure my conditioning was up to date.
"So, it's a little different on the field, but I felt like I was good."
If he is activated again this week for the Ravens game, Samuel said he needs to do everything he can to pitch in and do his part to get the win.
"Just do whatever I can do," said Samuel. "Just work hard, maximize each and every day.
"We just got to be better as a team, as a group. Just go get better. Take it one day at a time and focus on the next game. The most important game is the next game."
The Steelers have lost their last two games, and Samuel said the key right now is just sticking together, something he doesn't think is an issue.
"Sticking together and just maximize each and every day," said Samuel. "It's still five games. We win the next five and everything turns around and nobody will have any questions or any doubts.
"So, we've just got to take it one game at a time."
Samuel believes this team can bounce back, and he saw it happen when he was with the Chargers.
"My second year, we were kind of in the same boat, and then we won out and went to the playoffs," said Samuel. "So, I've seen it happen. With the team that we have, the players and coaches we have, it's far from over.
"So, we've just got to maximize each and every day."
Bringing the urgency: The Bills rushed for 249 yards against the Steelers defense on Sunday, with James Cook racking up 144 yards on 32 carries.
Those aren't numbers the defense likes to see, but the goal is to correct the problem this week before heading to Baltimore to take on the Ravens, who have their own running powerhouse in Derrick Henry.
"It's not playing up to our standard, all of us, and myself included," said linebacker Jack Sawyer. "So, it comes down to getting back to work and showing up ready to play and putting our best stuff out there on the field every play.
"I think it's always frustrating when opposing offenses are having success running the football on our defense because we've got some of the best players in the world to ever do it. I think that just comes down to doing our assignment and playing collectively better. Just getting back to work.
"Sometimes an NFL player is going to make plays and that happens. But I think that we can be a lot better. And I know we will be."
Sawyer knows the defense has the capability to shut down some of the top backs in the game.
It's just a matter of doing it consistently.
"There's been sometimes where you see it, and it's like wow, that's what it's supposed to look like," said Sawyer. "We've completely shut some of the best running backs in the league out and play good team football on defense.
"That's the standard here, excellence. We're always chasing that and when we fall short of it, we're going to get back to the basics and get back to work and figure out how we can do that."
Sawyer said it's some little things they need to clean up to get back on track, and to do that, they have to approach this week knowing there are only five games left to get where they want to be.
"We've got to come to work eager and with a sense of urgency," said Sawyer. "You can sense it even today. Being able to come to work and have a sense of urgency and know what's at stake right now with these games moving forward and showing up ready for the challenges at hand this week."
Team bonding: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers never shies away from film study.
He does it while at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during scheduled meetings, and on his own time on off days.
He does it at home in his free time.
He does it when the team is on the road.
And he always welcomes players into the fold.
Receiver Roman Wilson said Rodgers has players over to his house once a week to watch film, something that is a help.
"He opened his house up so we can watch film there and it's a great addition," said Wilson. "I'm open to whatever he wants.
"He takes care of us. We eat a little bit. Team bonding and we watch film."
Cast your vote: Steelers fans, get out and vote.
Voting is now open for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, presented by Verizon. The Pro Bowl Games will be held on Tuesday, February 3 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco as part of Super Bowl LX week.
Fans can vote as often as they would like to send Steelers players to the Pro Bowl Games from now until December 15. Fan votes count for one-third of the overall votes, along with player and coaches votes each counting for one third as well.
Social voting – 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 either #ProBowlVote or Pro Bowl Vote. During the final two days (Dec. 14-15), social votes will count as double.
Madden Mobile – New this year, fans can access Pro Bowl Games voting on Madden NFL 26 Mobile through the Pro Bowl event tile in the Madden Mobile Ultimate Team™ mode. Votes can be made using Ballot Tokens (up to 30 per day) and Ballot Tokens reset daily at 10:30 a.m. ET. Votes on Madden Mobile also count double during the final two days of voting (Dec. 14-15).
The Pro Bowl Games will once again feature a flag football game and other fun, competitive events. Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with the game starting at 8 p.m.
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.
