The Steelers can’t control how much a win over the Lions would mean—they would need a loss by the Ravens for that. At least they don’t control how it influences their playoff odds on their own. But the Steelers are approaching this game as an opportunity to state their case to the NFL. More than a few are still doubting them, which isn’t exactly unfair.
“This one is kind of like one of those statement games where we can really take that and keep going with it”, Pat Freiermuth said about the Steelers’ game against the Lions via Teresa Varley for the team’s website.