The Steelers had already clinched a playoff slot, so Sunday’s regular-season finale against Cleveland may have seemed meaningless.

Despite the 13-9 final score, it was anything but. Not only was there the chance to win the AFC North title and a first-round bye, but several players also had the opportunity to set milestones during the game.

Antonio Brown, the Steelers MVP, had 90 yards receiving and reached 1,100 yards to join Mike Wallace, making them the third Steeler tandem to accomplish the feat. Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress did it in 2002, while Ward did it again in 2009 with Santonio Holmes.

Then there was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who topped 4,000 yards passing. It was the second time in his career he had done so, and the win was the 80th of his career in just his 113th start. He joined elite company, including Tom Brady, Ken Stabler and Roger Staubach.

Tight end Heath Miller also reached a pinnacle, tying Hall of Famer Lynn Swann in career receptions for fourth place in Steeler history.

But if you ask any player on the team, including those three, their achievements paled in comparison to the one they wanted for Ward.

Ward already has played in four Pro Bowls and three Super Bowls, and has an MVP award from Super Bowl XL to his name. He owns 13 team receiving records. But with five catches, giving him 1,000 for his career, Ward would pretty much claim his ticket to Canton.

“All week I was just trying to say, ‘Man, I just want to win.’ Because we still have a chance (to win) the AFC North and get that bye week,” Ward said. “I think winning meant more to me than anything, but in the back of my mind I thought, ‘Man, it would be great to get 1,000 catches.’ “

Ward admitted he was nervous as that thought and the game drew closer.

On the first offensive play of the fourth quarter, Ward took a shovel pass from Roethlisberger. Although it went for negative yardage, it was the 1,000th of his career.

“My 1,000th catch, my whole career here, this is amazing,” Ward said. “Coming to the NFL, I was just proud to be in the NFL. My goal wasn’t to catch a thousand balls or anything. But through hard work and perseverance and being able to stay healthy … here I am. It’s an elite club to be in.”

Hall of Famer Jerry Rice is the only other player to have both 1,000 receptions and multiple Super Bowl rings, and just eight other players have reached 1,000 catches.

“We’ve been counting down since week one for him to do it, and it took till Week 17 in the fourth quarter,” safety Troy Polamalu said. “But he got it and deserves it. He’s been in a run-first offense for so long. I don’t know who else is on that list, but it would be interesting to see because being in Pittsburgh and putting up the numbers he did in a run-first offense for maybe 10 of his first 14 years, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.”

The words throughout the locker room echoed Polamalu.

“Man, he is one of the greatest ever in my book,” defensive lineman Brett Keisel said. “He has the same kind of story that I do and that is why I respect him so much. He played special teams, worked his way into the receiver role, and now 1,000 receptions, that is amazing. He is one of the all-time greats. There is no doubt he’ll be in the Hall of Fame. It’s been a honor to play with him.”

“I can’t say enough about Hines,” tackle Max Starks said. “I’ve been his teammate for eight years now, and he’s amazing, the things he can do. I’m very glad he hit that milestone and he is very deserving of it.”

“He’s a great player, a Hall of Famer, a role model,” Wallace said. “He’s like a big brother to me. He doesn’t say much, he just comes ready to play. It was on the top of our list to get Hines his catches and I’m glad we did.”

The question now: is this the curtain call for an athlete who has played the game with the tenacity of a throwback player? Although his contract runs through 2012, Ward wasn’t ready to talk about that. Instead he was focused on the playoffs and helping Pittsburgh to another Super Bowl appearance.

“I just want to thank all the guys. I think they were my biggest fans,” Ward said. “To catch a 1,000 balls is big, considering playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers you have to worry about the weather conditions. I’m just focused on doing what I can do to help this team and the younger guys make the playoffs.”

There is the quick update of the day.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Denver Broncos in the wildcard round on Sunday, January 8. Unfortunately for them, they will be down one of their biggest offensive weapons. No, I’m not talking about Ben Roethlisberger. The quarterback is expected to be fine for the game. Instead, Pittsburgh will have to win without their top running back. The Steelers have placed Rashard Mendenhall on the injured reserve list as a result of a torn ACL. Without him, the Steelers will need other backs to step up and run the football if they want to advance past the Broncos.

Mendenhall suffered the torn ACL in the regular season finale against the Cleveland Browns. Mendenhall had just eight carries at the time he suffered the injury. The diagnosis was later confirmed by the Steelers and the move to place him on the IR list was done swiftly. Mendenhall will have surgery later in January and need at least several months to recover from the ACL injury. However, there is still reason to believe he will make a full recovery. ACL injuries can vary in how long they take to heal but the hope is that Mendenhall will be able to play in the 2012 season opener. With the time of the injury, that will be a question mark. But he will see the field in 2012.

Without Mendenhall, the Steelers are down their top rusher. He leads the team with 928 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns. His 228 carries are more than twice the total of any other running back on the team. Isaac Redman figures to take the bulk of the carries against Denver. He ran the ball 19 times against the Browns in the regular season finale and has 479 rushing yards on the season. The performance of Redman will be key for the Steelers, especially given the sore ankle for Roethlisberger. But he has proven himself to be a capable backup and should perform well in this game. But even if that happens, the Steelers will still miss the big play potential of their top back. More than ever, the Steelers will have to rely on their stellar defense.

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That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to play the Denver Broncos in the first round of the playoffs on January 8, 2012. The game will be held in the high altitude and low oxygen conditions of Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver. Unfortunately, for Steelers S Ryan Clark, this means he will not be able to play and he has been pulled out of the game.

Clark carries the sickle cell trait in his blood and when exposed to high altitude and reduced oxygen, this condition can become life-threatening. Clark learned this in 2007 when he last played in Denver. That game cost him his spleen and gallbladder, as well as a loss of 30 pounds and an end to his season. He thought he was going to die.

So what exactly is sickle cell and how is it affected by high altitude and reduced oxygen?

Sickle cell affects the red blood cells in the body. It is caused by a trait that is acquired from both parents.

Healthy red blood cells are round in shape and designed to move easily through the blood vessels. They carry the iron-rich protein called hemoglobin which carries oxygen throughout your body. In people with sickle cell disease, these red blood cells are crescent shaped and carry abnormal hemoglobin. Because of the shape of the cells, they can also block blood flow in the vessels. This can cause pain, organ damage and serious infections.

In order to have sickle cell disease, you need to have received the sickle cell trait from both of your parents. However, if you only receive the trait from one parent, you are diagnosed with sickle cell trait. This means that you will more than likely not have symptoms of the disease but can see complications under certain conditions.

Ryan Clark is considered to have sickle cell trait. He does not suffer from the disease on a regular basis but can experience complications and can pass the trait to his children.

Complications for those carrying the sickle cell trait occur under conditions of high atmospheric pressure, low oxygen levels, dehydration and high altitudes. Unfortunately for Clark, those account for many of the conditions in Denver. The higher altitude and reduced oxygen can be difficult enough for healthy individuals to receive enough oxygen for their body, but with sickle cell trait it becomes even more difficult.

While the idea of missing the first playoff game is not appealing to Clark, neither is a risk of potential complications. This is not the first game he has missed because of this condition. The Steelers have played Denver two times since that game in 2007 and Clark was pulled out of both of them.

Deborah Braconnier is a former athlete, medical professional and avid football fan. She is a freelance writer and Featured Contributor for the NFL and Olympics. She has followed the Denver Broncos since she was a child and can usually be found yelling at the television during football season. Follow her on Twitter at @fwcdeborah.

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PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and safety Troy Polamalu each attended a full practice Friday and are listed as probable for the regular-season finale in Cleveland on Sunday.

Roethlisberger practiced all week after missing last Saturday’s 27-0 win over the St. Louis Rams because of a high ankle sprain. The injury occurred three weeks ago in a home win against the Browns, but he played the following Monday in San Francisco and threw three interceptions in a 20-3 loss.

Polamalu (knee) did not practice until Friday but is expected to start Sunday. Center Maurkice Pouncey missed the past two games with a high ankle sprain but said he’s going to play.

Linebacker James Harrison (neck) and wide receivers Mike Wallace (ankle) and Emmanuel Sanders (foot) are listed as probable.

LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) is doubtful after not practicing Friday, and Jason Worilds likely will make his seventh start at outside linebacker.

The playoff-bound Steelers need a win and a Baltimore loss at Cincinnati to win the AFC North and earn a first-round bye.

What are your opinions.

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t want his sprained left ankle to keep him out of Pittsburgh’s regular-season finale Sunday in Cleveland against the Browns.

“As long as I can deal with pain, I’ll be out there,” Roethlisberger said Thursday. “I don’t want to let the guys down, so I’ll do what I can to be out there.”

Roethlisberger, who sat out the Steelers’ 27-0 win last Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, fully participated in practice again Thursday. He said the ankle, sprained on Dec. 8 in Pittsburgh’s last meeting with the Browns, was “a little sore.”

Roethlisberger was injured against Cleveland when he was sacked in the second quarter by Browns defensive linemen Scott Paxson and Brian Schaefering. He returned to the game and then played all of Pittsburgh’s next game, a 20-3 loss to the 49ers in San Francisco on Dec. 19.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said he was “much more” confident in Roethlisberger’s ability to play this Sunday against the Browns after watching the quarterback’s mobility improve in Thursday’s practice.

Roethlisberger will play if he’s healthy, Arians said.

“I want him out there but not at the risk of injuring himself,” Arians said. “If he can’t move around and get out of the way, there’s no sense in getting him out there.”

There’s plenty at stake against the Browns as the Steelers (11-4) remain in the hunt for the AFC North championship. To win it, they need a win vs. Cleveland and hope the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

If Roethlisberger can’t play, 37-year-old Charlie Batch, who threw for 208 yards in the Steelers’ win over the Rams, is available.

Guard Doug Legursky (shoulder) and safety Troy Polamalu (knee) sat out for the second straight practice Thursday. Linebacker James Harrison, who sat out Wednesday’s practice with a neck injury, and receiver Mike Wallace (ankle), who was limited in practice Wednesday, participated fully Thursday.

What do you guys think about this.

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is saying that he is optimistic that Ben Roethlisberger will be able to start against the Cleveland Browns for the final week of the season. That noise you hear now is every Steelers fan letting out a resounding “why?”

It was debatable whether Roethlisberger should play against the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago but after the Ravens lost it made sense. After Roethlisberger looked terrible, looked injured and the 49ers defense destroyed him it made less sense to start him last week. Now after the Steelers won without Roethlisberger last week it seems to make no sense for Roethlisberger to start this week.

The Steelers have a chance to win the AFC North, which means a first round bye in the playoffs and the Steelers could even slip into the first seed overall and get home field throughout the playoffs. Obviously everybody would prefer to get the first round bye but not if it means risking Roethlisberger’s health and costing the Steelers a trip to the Super Bowl. The Steelers can go to the Super Bowl if they are the five seed. They can’t go to the Super Bowl if Roethlisberger is injured.

Benching Roethlisberger doesn’t guarantee that the Steelers give up the division either. Last week the Steelers not only won without Roethlisberger but they won by a score of 27-0. They did it the way that Pittsburgh traditionally wins, running and defense. Sure, their opponent was the St. Louis Rams who are currently in the running for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. The Cleveland Browns aren’t exactly Super Bowl contenders either though.

The Browns are playing without their starting quarterback Colt McCoy-who has been out since suffering a concussion after a hit from James Harrison in the two teams’ last meeting-and their offense only ranks 29^th in the league. The Steelers’ defense also seems to step up when Roethlisberger doesn’t play. Last week the defense shut out the Rams and last season when Roethlisberger missed four games the defense only allowed 12.5 points per game against four teams that had a combined record of 41-23 by the end of the season.

The offense won’t be completely the same if Roethlisberger doesn’t play but it won’t be bad either. Cleveland’s defense ranks 10^th in the NFL but that is largely because of a pass defense that ranks 2^nd in the NFL. Cleveland’s rush defense is actually only 30^th in the NFL and not far off from the Rams defense that the Steelers ran all over last week.

The Steelers can beat the Browns even if Roethlisberger doesn’t play and then their fate lies in the hands of the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals game. The Bengals game will be much tougher for the Ravens. Besides the fact that the Ravens choke in big situations, you also have a Bengals team that will be pumped to hold on to their playoff spot. If the Bengals win they clinch only their third playoff spot in 20 years. The game is also in Cincinnati where the stadium has sold out for only the second time this year.

The Steelers should rest Roethlisberger one more week and it’s possible Pittsburgh still gets the first round bye. Even if the Ravens win and the Steelers are the fifth seed every Steelers fan has faith that Roethlisberger can navigate the Steelers through the playoffs one more time. Nobody has faith that Charlie Batch can do it if Roethlisberger plays and makes his ankle worse.

Sources:

Tomlin optimistic Roethlisberger could start at Cleveland, Chicago Tribune

The last several generations of Lee Andrew Henderson’s family were Pittsburgh born and even though he was born in Alabama he has been a long time fan of the Pirates, Steelers and Panthers. Lee Andrew Henderson can be found on Twitter at @LeeAHenderson

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There is the quick update of the day.

Plain Dealer’s Cleveland Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot preview the Browns game Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

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Gotta run!.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had no problems getting by without Ben
Roethlisberger in their latest game, and there’s a chance they could give their
ailing quarterback another week to rest during their regular-season finale.

The potential for an even more significant week off may sway that decision.

A first-round bye is in sight for the Steelers with a victory over the host
Cleveland Browns on Sunday and some help, but otherwise they’d likely need to
win three times on the road to make a return trip to the Super Bowl.

After suffering a high ankle sprain in a 14-3 win over Cleveland in Week 14,
Roethlisberger played through pain in a 20-3 loss at San Francisco 11 days
later, throwing three interceptions as Pittsburgh blew a chance to stay in the
driver’s seat for the AFC’s top seed.

Needing two wins and a Baltimore loss to win the AFC North and guarantee at
least a first-round bye, the Steelers (11-4) rested Roethlisberger in favor of
Charlie Batch last weekend against St. Louis. Batch threw for 208 yards while
Pittsburgh rode a 116-yard rushing performance from Rashard Mendenhall and a
dominant defensive effort to a 27-0 win.

Baltimore held off a late rally by the Browns to win 20-14 that same day,
but the division’s current leader – by virtue of a head-to-head sweep of the
Steelers – hardly has it easy in Week 17. The Ravens travel to Cincinnati, where
a win would put the Bengals in the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 6 seed and third
qualifier from the North.

A Baltimore loss and Pittsburgh win would give the Steelers the No. 2 seed,
and potentially No. 1 should New England falter. But anything else leaves
Pittsburgh as the AFC’s fifth seed with no week off, almost certainly requiring
the defending conference champions to win three road games to reach a fourth
Super Bowl in seven years.

“There are some scenarios that can unfold, where we can improve our playoff
position,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “We are aware of that. We are also aware that
all of those scenarios include us winning this football game. We are going to do
what we deem necessary for us to put ourselves in position to do that.”

Tomlin said Tuesday that both Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey -
who’s also nursing a high ankle sprain – have “a shot” to play against Cleveland
(4-11).

The fifth-year coach isn’t sure if Roethlisberger – named Tuesday to his
second Pro Bowl – will be able to practice, but even if he can’t, Tomlin figures
to wait until close to game time to make a decision.

While the Steelers need help from the Bengals – offensive lineman Trai Essex
said he “might peek a couple of times” at the scoreboard – they’re focused on
the Browns, especially considering they didn’t put the Dec. 8 meeting away until
a 79-yard Roethlisberger-to-Antonio Brown touchdown with 2:52 left.

“Cleveland’s going to do whatever they can to put a damper on our season as
much as possible,” Essex told the Steelers’ official website. “They’re not
having the year I’m sure they wanted to, but whenever we play against each other
it doesn’t matter what our record is, we’re going to get their best and they’re
going to get ours.”

Roethlisberger isn’t the only quarterback to have sustained a potentially
significant injury in the first meeting. Browns quarterback Colt McCoy took a
helmet-to-helmet shot from Steelers linebacker James Harrison late in the fourth
quarter, a hit that drew Harrison a one-game suspension and opened the door to
Cleveland’s coaching staff receiving plenty of criticism.

McCoy returned to the game, but was later diagnosed with a concussion. The
decision to send him back in led to the NFL instituting a policy that requires
teams to have a certified athletic trainer in the press box help medical staffs
evaluate injured players.

One of the harshest critics of the Browns’ handling of the situation was
none other than Harrison, who said last week that Cleveland should be
disciplined since he was docked one game.

As for his play, Harrison claims he’s lowered his target area. Browns
linebacker D’Qwell Jackson isn’t so sure.

“Harrison is who he is and whether you fine him, you suspend him, he’s not
going to change,” Jackson said.

McCoy, who missed the past two games, has not been medically cleared and is
unlikely to return for the finale. Seneca Wallace figures to get the call again
after throwing for 373 yards, two TDs and an interception in losses to the
Cardinals and Ravens.

“We have to try to take advantage of every opportunity and make sure we do
it at 100 percent,” Wallace said. “Do it at a high level and minimize mistakes.
Against teams in this division, we can’t give them easy ones.”

As long as Roethlisberger’s been in Pittsburgh, matchups with Cleveland have
typically been just that. The Steelers are 13-1 against the Browns with
Roethlisberger starting, and he’s thrown seven touchdown passes without a pick
in his last four visits to Cleveland.

“You never want to lose to Cleveland,” Steelers safety Ryan Clark said.
“When you are in this city, when you play for this organization, that’s a game
you don’t want to lose.”

What do you guys think about this.

Kickoff: Browns vs. Steelers, Sunday, 4:15 p.m. at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Record: 11-4.

Most recent game: Beat St. Louis Rams, 27-0, Saturday in Pittsburgh.

Coach: Mike Tomlin, 59-27, fifth year.

Series record: 63-56 (counting postseason).

Most recent meeting: Steelers won, 14-3, Dec. 8, in Pittsburgh.

League rankings: Offense is 11th overall (16th rushing, ninth passing); defense is first (ninth rushing, first passing) and turnover differential is minus-12.

Offensive overview:

Ben Roethlisberger, injured in the Dec. 8 meeting, hobbled through a four-interception game 10 days later against San Francisco and then sat out the Rams game on Saturday. The Steelers would prefer Roethlisberger play a half or so on Sunday to keep him sharp for the playoffs. Center Maurkice Pouncey, also injured in the first Browns meeting, might not be ready. Since backup center Doug Legursky also is out, next man up at center is backup guard Trai Essex. This would force previously demoted Chris Kemoeatu to starting left guard. The offensive line has been a revolving door all year, and, given Roethlisberger’s ankle injury, it would appear to call for a more traditional game plan tailored for running back Rashard Mendenhall. He had his first 100-yard game in nine weeks against the Rams.

Defensive overview:

Outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who missed the Dec. 8 game with a hamstring injury, is expected back for Sunday’s game. That’s one headache for the Browns. The other is serial headhunter James Harrison. After his one-game suspension for the cheap shot on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, yet another offense could affect Harrison’s playoff availability. He had no questionable incidents against the Rams. With the Steelers’ pass rush as fearsome as ever, the improvement in this unit continues to be in the secondary. Keenan Lewis and rookie Cortez Brown have emerged as surprise contributors when the defense adds a fifth and sixth defensive back.

Special teams overview:

Kicker Shaun Suisham is 21-of-28 in field goals with a long of 51 yards. He has 27 touchbacks. Punter Jeremy Kapinos has a gross average of 45.0 yards and a net of 38.1. Antonio Brown has a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown. He is ninth in the NFL with a punt-return average of 10.8 yards and is third in kickoff return average (27.7).

Players to watch

* Linebacker James Harrison: In two of the past three meetings, he has taken out Mohamed Massaquoi, Josh Cribbs and Colt McCoy with hits. Two of the three were deemed illegal, and he was suspended one game for the brutal helmet-to-facemask kill shot to McCoy.

* Running back Rashard Mendenhall: His 116 rushing yards were the most he had since Game 6 against Jacksonville. He needs 110 for his third straight 1,000-yard season.

* Safety Troy Polamalu: He was all over the field in the first meeting, and influenced just about every play at the end when the Browns had a chance to take the lead.

Injury report

OL Legursky (shoulder) is out. WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot) missed the past three games. C Pouncey (high ankle) missed the past two games. QB Roethlisberger (high ankle) missed the last game.

Small world

Former Browns coaches include Bruce Arians (offensive coordinator), John Mitchell (defensive line) and Keith Butler (linebackers). . . . Quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner was born in Cleveland and is the son of former Browns DB Ross Fichtner. . . . Linebacker Harrison is an Akron native and played at Kent State. . . . Quarterback Roethlisberger is a native of Findlay, Ohio, and played at Miami (Ohio).

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

There is the quick update of the day.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot to play for in Week 17. They are currently 11-4 and tied with the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North. Baltimore owns the tiebreaker but faces a tough Week 17 test against the Cincinnati Bengals. Meanwhile, the Steelers have a trip to face the Cleveland Browns. If the Steelers win and the Ravens lose, Pittsburgh will win the division and earn a bye. That’s not out of the realm of possibility. Pittsburgh could get a big boost if quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is able to play.

Roethlisberger has been dealing with an injured ankle since the last time his team faced the Browns. That was all the way back on Thursday, December 8. Roethlisberger played in the following game against the San Francisco 49ers but was visibly limited. He sat out in Week 16 as his team drilled the lowly St. Louis Rams. Now, the hope is that his high ankle sprain is rested enough to allow him to play in the game. That could be a huge boost for a team hoping to win the division. Roethlisberger will be watched closely throughout the week but there is a real chance he can play. If that happens, beating the Browns should be no problem for the Steelers.

Roethlisberger has been pretty solid in the 2011 season. After a rough start he has bounced back to throw 21 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. Big Ben has struggled against elite defenses but Cleveland doesn’t really fit that bill. The Browns are in the midst of a disastrous 2011 season and would have a hard time winning this game no matter who was under center for the Steelers.

Pittsburgh might ultimately decide to rest Roethlisberger another week if he is still hobbled. Their playoff spot is secure and Pittsburgh has been able to win on the road in the playoffs before. If it is in the best interest of the team to not risk Roethlisberger’s health, they won’t do it. Pittsburgh knows it is good enough to be successful in the playoffs on the road as well as at home. If Big Ben can play, he will. But if he is still sore, I expect the Steelers will rest him.

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Not much else going on in the NFL world today.

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin believes injured
quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey both
have “a shot” to play in Sunday’s regular season finale at
Cleveland.

“It is our intention right now that if those guys are healthy
enough to practice and prepare, then we will play them,” Tomlin
said Tuesday.

Given the way backups Charlie Batch and Trai Essex handled
themselves in a 27-0 win over St. Louis last Saturday, the Steelers
(11-4) may not need Roethlisberger or Pouncey to hurry back from
their badly sprained left ankles to keep the team’s hopes of an AFC
North title alive.

Batch played effectively against the Rams, passing for 208 yards
while showing there’s still some life in his 37-year-old legs. He
extended plays with his mobility and even threw the ball downfield,
hitting Mike Wallace for a 46-yard gain in the fourth quarter that
set up the clinching touchdown.

“I thought he did some really good things,” Tomlin said of
Batch. “(But) his performance has no bearing on how we go about
making the decisions that are right for us this week. A lot of the
decisions center around Roethlisberger’s health. But I like the way
Batch played, not only the way he performed but the way he led and
communicated.”

It’s what Batch has done with consistency while subbing for
Roethlisberger through the years. The Pittsburgh native is 5-2 when
starting in relief and had the Heinz Field crowd chanting “Charlie!
Charlie!” after a handful of plays.

The moment wasn’t lost on Batch.

“I think that they have appreciated what I have done, and what I
am doing to help this team win,” he said. “I embraced it.”

And he’ll embrace trying to do it on the road against the Browns
(4-11) if necessary.

Pittsburgh can win the division with a victory in Cleveland and
a loss by Baltimore in Cincinnati. It can even gain the top overall
seed in the AFC with a win and losses by both the Ravens and
Patriots.

It’s why Tomlin isn’t quite ready to rule out Roethlisberger.
The coach isn’t sure if Roethlisberger will be able to practice
this week, but even if the quarterback doesn’t, Tomlin expects to
wait until the last minute before making a decision.

“There are some scenarios that can unfold, where we can improve
our playoff position,” Tomlin said. “We are aware of that. We are
also aware that all of those scenarios include us winning this
football game. We are going to do what we deem necessary for us to
put ourselves in position to do that.”

And even Batch understands that when relatively healthy few
quarterbacks can do what Roethlisberger can do.

“This is Ben’s team,” Batch said. “This team moves with him and
to see him do everything in his power to get back on the field is
really something special to watch.”

Pouncey sat out the last two games and backup Doug Legursky went
out early against the Rams with a left shoulder injury. Enter
Essex, who hadn’t taken a snap at center all season. He performed
admirably, helping the Steelers gash St. Louis for 169 yards on the
ground.

“It was under unusual circumstances,” Tomlin said. “To have a
guy come in and deliver the way he delivered for us, not only in
terms of snapping the football but declaring fronts and blocking
people in the run game, it was just a special afternoon for
him.”

Legursky is out for Sunday, and if Pouncey can’t play Essex will
get the call again, though Tomlin sounded optimistic Pouncey will
be ready.

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley (strained left hamstring), and wide
receiver Emmanuel Sanders (right foot) could also play in
Cleveland.

Tomlin will not rest players just to rest them, but could modify
the amount of playing time depending on how things shake out
elsewhere, particularly if Baltimore gets up big on Cincinnati and
the Steelers know they’ll have to start the playoffs on the road
the weekend of Jan. 7-8.

“Those are the easy decisions I can make as the game and
situations unfold,” Tomlin said. “Some of them are obvious. …
That’s not rocket science as far as we’re concerned.”

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.