Steelers notebook: Polamalu says forget prime time, what's important is streak

November 9, 6:08 PMPittsburgh Sports ExaminerMatt Pawlikowski

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Pittsburgh Sports Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Troy Polamalu says it doesn't matter its a prime time game, what gets them pumped up winning.
AP/File Photo

The Steelers are 11-1 in primetime regular season games under third-year head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin is 4-0 all-time on Monday Night Football.

The Steelers have won 11 straight games in primetime under Tomlin. Pittsburgh is 2-0 this year in primetime games and is scheduled to play a total of five primetime games this season (Week 4 vs. San Diego, Week 9 at Denver, Week 12 at Baltimore and Week 14 at Cleveland).

Asked if there is something about playing under the lights, Steeler safety Polamalu said it is no different than any other game.

"I think what is important to keep our winning streak alive, and when you can do that against a team that has been successful its important," Polamalu said.

TOMLIN ON ALTITUDE

Playing in Denver sometimes has its problems when it comes to players adjusting to the thin air. Asked if he has problems with it, Steeler coach Mike Tomlin said no.

"Personally I don't have a problem with it," he said. "I understand that when excerising you do, but I don't play when I am in Denver, I stand on the sidelines and watch. But its not something I am overly concerned with. It's not something that is unique to us, it's everyone who goes to player there and its no different than teams from the south coming to play her in Pittsburgh in November and December. It comes with playing on the road in the NFL, It's an element of the game and we can't let it be a signicent element in that we can't let it decide the outcome of the football game, our play has to do that."

WINNING WAYS IN THE AFC

The Steelers have won 12 of their past 15 games against AFC opponents. Pittsburgh is 2-1 this year against AFC teams.The Steelers finished last season with a 12-4 mark, including an impressive 10-2 record against AFC opponents. Pittsburgh’s 10-2 record within the conference tied for the best mark in the NFL with Indianapolis. The last time Pittsburgh finished with a better record against AFC opponents was in 2004 when it finished 11-1.

FAMILIAR FACE

He was booed at Heinz Field, but filled in adequatly for the Steelers last year. Who? Punter Mitch Berger, who is back int he NFL kicking for the Broncos.

"Berger had good hang time, and gave our gunners the opportunity to get down there and cover some, create some fair catches," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "I don't think they had too many opportunities to just catch it and take it back on us. Again, we're worried more about the net than the gross, and I thought he did a decent job of giving us the opportunity to down the punt there before the half. But that will get better. It will keep getting better."

LAYING DOWN THE LAW

The Steelers might get a dose of a familiar face on Monday night as Alliquippa native Ty Law was just signed by the Broncos and is expected to see action.

"They are trying to get me ready to play, and I came back last year and did the same thing," Law said. "Right now they are shoving a lot down my throut because the terminology is a lot different. I came here just to play and help these guys."

Law, now in his15th-year has played for the New York Jets (2008, ‘05), Kansas City (2006-07) and New England (1995-2004). He entered the NFL with the Patriots as the 23rd overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft from the University of Michigan.

LOOKING GOOD

The Steelers have won four straight games and used two returns to seal their most-recent victory. In its Week 7 victory over Minnesota, Pittsburgh used a fumble return and interception return for touchdowns to help knock off the previously unbeaten Vikings. It marked the first time the Steelers had two returns for touchdowns in the same game since Nov. 22, 1998, against the Jacksonville Jaguars. LB LaMarr Woodley scooped up a fumble and returned it 77 yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. With one minute left in the game, backup LB Keyaron Fox picked off a B Brett Favre pass and returned it 82 yards for a touchdown, hich was the third-longest (tied) return.

STEELERS INJURY REPORT

It's been the worst kept secret in football, and Monday morning WPXI reported that Ryan Clark is indeed sitting out the game due to his sickle cell trait. Tyrone Carter is expected to play in his place along with Ryan Mundy taking some reps. Travis Kirschke is out as is Lawrence Timmons who is nursing an ankle injury.