STEELERS

With a first postseason victory in nine years up for grabs against one of the hottest teams in the NFL, the Steelers enter Monday night's wild-card matchup with the Texans as a group unified by the ups, downs and internal competition experienced during a long regular-season slate. 

"Offensively and defensively, this is probably the closest we've been in a really long time," Cam Heyward said prior to practice this morning at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "The O-line and D-line asking questions, just trying to better everybody in this group. It's creating (an environment where) guys are really stepping up and guys are getting better." 

At times this season, these Steelers have been described as a group of "castoffs" or "outcasts." Aaron Rodgers first came up with that description following the team's Monday night win over the Dolphins on Dec. 15, a game in which players like Kenneth Gainwell, Connor Heyward, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Adam Thielen and Asante Samuel Jr. all made an impact. On that night, Gainwell rushed for 80 yards and added 46 receiving yards, Heyward and Valdez-Scantling each scored a touchdown and Samuel picked up his first interception in a Steelers uniform. 

"There are some castoffs if you look at our roster, which makes it really special," Rodgers said following the 28-15 win over Miami. "Kenny Gainwell signed a next-to-nothing contract. Connor Heyward, afterthought. Had a touchdown run. You know, Marquez has been on a couple of teams. Adam Thielen got cut. Samuel was on the street for a long time. Says a lot about the character of the guys we brought in." 

Arthur Smith acknowledged Rodgers' comments again on Thursday when he discussed the importance of having guys step up in the two-week absence of DK Metcalf. It's obvious that this team is coming together at the right time, and it's not just the stars that are contributing when their number is called.

"Aaron said it and it's true," Smith said. "We kind of embrace that. We got a bunch of castoffs or guys that are has-been, and we embrace that and these guys fight. It's a gritty group and cool to see the ball go to nine different guys. Guys have stepped up: Scotty (Miller), Thielen, Quez, Calvin (Austin III), Pat (Freiermuth), all those guys; Jonnu (Smith), Connor, Cam now on offense. So, it's fun to watch." 

And again, Cam Heyward brought up the same topic today when describing this team, one that has dealt with its share of adversity, especially during that regular-season stretch when five of their seven games from Oct. 16 to Nov. 30 resulted in defeats. 

The Steelers didn't sit back and let their season go to waste, though. They ended up winning four of their last five games to secure the AFC North title, and a lot of these so called castoffs have played a significant role in the late-season turnaround. 

"I think we have a lot of outcasts, a lot of people that trigger people for the right or wrong reasons," Heyward said. "We're a group that, with our backs against the wall, we like our chances because we're all together. We thrive off of people either counting us out or not believing in us. Trying to play our best ball." 

Things won't be easy for the Steelers on Monday night, as the Texans are riding high following nine straight wins to conclude the regular season. 

They've got plenty of weapons on the offensive side of the ball, with C.J. Stroud leading the way, and the defense is one of the best in the NFL, with Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson and Derek Stingley among their top contributors. 

Regardless of who the opponent is, the Steelers know they're going to get the anyone's best effort. Their point of emphasis is controlling what they can control at this point in the season. 

"The main focus is trying to win a game," Heyward said. "You can't control what's happened in the past. My goal is to try to win a game now, and that's all we can control. I think worrying about what has happened in the past doesn't do anybody any good. We gotta play our best ball now."