Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin Has Confidence in Steelers' Mindset Despite Recent Skid
The Steelers have lost their last four regular-season games and last five playoff games.
That doesn't change the outlook for Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who said Monday that he's preparing with confidence heading into Saturday night's Wild Card matchup against the Ravens.
Tomlin said his recent playoff record should have no bearing on Saturday's outcome.
"What you mentioned is my story, it's not the collective's story," Tomlin said during his Monday press conference. "Many of those guys involved do not tote those bags. I happily tote those bags. But it's not something I'm going to project on the collective.
"We've been in too many battles and had too much success to be fragile in that way. We can certainly hate our recent performances and the outcome, but I don't think it reflected on how we feel about ourselves."
Here are some of Tomlin's other thoughts:
On the Ravens' offense: "It's no surprise they're one of the hottest teams in football. It's about No. 8 (Lamar Jackson) and No. 22 (Derrick Henry) for us. Lamar's play has been spectacular. There's been very little negativity on their tape in general during the second half of the season."
On the possibility of using both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at quarterback: "I'm certainly open to utilizing Justin. He has an awesome skillset. We've done some of that in the past. In an effort to win this game, I am open to any combination."
On wide receiver George Pickens' recent issues with dropped passes: "He has to own it, but he wasn't alone. We had several people that had several makeable plays (in Week 18), routine if you will. If you're going to be good, not only great, but good, you've got to make routine plays routinely."
On Wilson's play over the last four weeks: "I think it's reflective of all of our performances over the last month, it's been spotty at best. But again, during that time period we've been 0-4. That's not an earth-shattering statement."
On why he believes Wilson can turn things around against Baltimore: "His approach to business day-to-day, first and foremost."
Tomlin said traveling to Baltimore is a "tax to pay" for not winning the AFC North but he will embrace the atmosphere.
"I expect it to be a hostile environment," Tomlin said. "I welcome that to be quite honest with you. It's important that we smile in the face of that."
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson Suffers Rehab Setback, Two Offensive Coaches Fired
Browns General Manager Andrew Berry revealed Monday that quarterback Deshaun Watson has suffered a setback in his recovery from a season-ending Achilles injury.
"Yesterday as we went through our normal player medical process, we did learn that he did have a setback in his Achilles recovery," Berry said. "We don't have all the details and everything yet. But it will obviously extend the recovery process for him.
The Browns have the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft behind the Tennessee Titans. Cleveland could select one of the top quarterback prospects, a list that includes Cam Ward (Miami, Fla.) and Shedeur Sanders (Colorado). Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jameis Winston, and Bailey Zappe all started for Cleveland in 2024.
Watson has played in just 19 games since 2022, after the Browns traded three first-round picks and signed him to a reported fully guaranteed $230 million contract. He is reportedly still owed $46 million in each of the next two seasons.
"The No. 1 thing for Deshaun, and I've talked to him about this, is he has to get healthy," Stefanski said over the weekend, before Berry gave his update. "He's working hard toward that goal."
After a disappointing 3-14 season, the Browns have quickly made changes to their coaching staff.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey and Offensive Line Coach Andy Dickerson were fired less than 24 hours after Saturday's 35-10 loss to the Ravens. Dorsey and Dickerson spent just one season on Cleveland's staff.
Cleveland ended the season ranked last in scoring (15.2 points per game) and 28th in total offense. Stefanski started the season as Cleveland's play caller but handed those duties to Dorsey after Watson's season-ending injury on Oct. 20.
Cincinnati Bengals: Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo Among Four Coaches Fired
Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo was among four coaches fired by the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic.
Anarumo was part of Head Coach Zac Taylor's original staff when he came to Cincinnati in 2019, but the Bengals defense struggled in each of the past two seasons, finishing 25th in points allowed this season.
Despite winning their last five games and leading the NFL in passing offense, the Bengals missed the playoffs for the second straight year after winning back-to-back division championships in 2021 and 2022.
In addition to hiring a new defensive coordinator, the futures of wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are among the top offseason priorities. Chase and the Bengals couldn't agree to a long-term deal prior to Week 1, then Chase proceeded to win the triple crown, the first player since Cooper Kupp in 2021 to lead the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and touchdown catches (17).
Higgins played under the franchise tag and caught a career-high 10 touchdown passes, with 73 catches and 911 receiving yards in just 12 games.
Chase is entering his fifth-year option while Higgins is set to be a free agent. It may be difficult for the Bengals to re-sign both star receivers, but franchise quarterback Joe Burrow made it clear that he wants it to happen.
"We started this whole thing together, we came in together, and we've built this thing from the ground up," Burrow said via Charlie Clifford of NBC5 in Cincinnati. "You don't want to make a habit of letting great players get out of the building. Tee's a great player and a guy that does everything the right way and works really hard for it. When you have a guy like that, you just can't let him get out of the building."
