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Steelers vs. Cardinals: 3 things Pittsburgh must do to advance to 8-5

By Tommy Jaggi

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Center Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 32-20. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Center Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 32-20. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Steelers take on the Cardinals in Arizona today. Here are three things Pittsburgh must do to keep their playoff hopes alive.

This year has been quite the ride for the Steelers. After losing their franchise quarterback in Week 2 against the Seahawks and beginning the season 0-3, they historically had just a 3.4 percent chance of making the playoffs this year.

However, Pittsburgh has won 6 of their previous 7 contests and are poised to make a push at the tournament. With difficult matchups against the Bills and Ravens over the final three games of the season, it’s critical that Mike Tomlin’s teams take care of business against the Arizona Cardinals.

Pittsburgh is widely considered the better team, and 83 percent of experts are taking the Steelers this week, according to NFL Pick Watch. Here are three things Pittsburgh needs to do in order to advance to 8-5 on the season:

Contain Kyler Murray

The Steelers will gladly take their chances with rookie quarterbacks trying to pass against them – especially with the success they have had in the secondary this season. However, Kyler Murray is one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the league and he knows how to use his legs.

Murray has 446 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground to go with his 6.3 yards per rush attempt. Using a player like Devin Bush to spy him may not be a terrible idea. If they keep Murray contained, the Cardinals will have trouble moving the ball against Pittsburgh’s defense.

Execute through the air

The Cardinals are 32nd in the league in passing yards allowed – surrendering a whopping 307.5 per game. While passing the ball isn’t a strength of the Steelers this season, they must be able to take advantage of Arizona’s defense through the air.

Devlin Hodges looks promising in his two starts this season, but he managed just 212 yards last week against the Browns. He and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner will need to find ways to exploit this weak pass defense if they want to be successful today.

Come out firing

The Steelers have been known to have sluggish starts in the first quarter – especially on the road against uncommon opponents. Mike Tomlin has done an excellent job with a banged-up crew this year, but they can ill-afford a start they did against Miami earlier this season.

Often times, Pittsburgh has failed to put up points early in the game, and scoring on them early is the best chance opposing teams have to get an early start. If the Steelers don’t want to be playing from behind, it’s important that they come out firing on all cylinders.

Next. Steelers WR James Washington has been more impressive than you think. dark

The Steelers opened as a pick’em this week, so this could be a tight contest. It’s unlikely they will win against both the Ravens and the Bills, so taking care of business against a 3-8-1 opponent is a must.

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