How should the Steelers handle a 13-game stretch without a break?

The Steelers likely just lost their Week 8 bye after their matchup against the Titans was postponed. Here’s why Mike Tomlin doesn’t care.

NFL preseason games were canceled this year, and Steelers players are likely more well-rested after three weeks then they have been in quite some time. Perfect time for a bye week, am I right?

Obviously, that was sarcasm. In most years, Pittsburgh will go their first 10-12 games without a bye (counting the preseason), but this year, they are forced to take their only break of the season during Week 4. This decision comes with the news that more Tennessee Titans players and personnel have tested positive for COVID-19; thus delaying their game that was originally scheduled to be played Sunday afternoon.

As a result, Mike Tomlin and his crew will be forced to play 13 straight regular seasons games without a break in between. This doesn’t even count for additional games in the probable playoff picture (which could potentially equate to as many as 16 games in a row without a break).

However, when asked about his thoughts on playing 13 straight games, Tomlin responded, “We do not care.”

How should the Steelers handle the remainder of the season?

Whether Mike Tomlin was sincere in his words or not is a different matter. However, the fact of the matter is that Pittsburgh will have an incredibly long stretch of football games without a week off this year, and it’s important to know how to pace themselves for the road ahead.

While we obviously want the Steelers to be able to maintain their ferocious play on the defensive side of the ball, it will be more important as ever to make sure their players aren’t utterly fatigued heading into the playoffs. If they can earn a spot in the AFC Championship game this year, that would mean they would be entering their 16th game without a break in between.

The single most important player to keep upright and healthy also happens to be their oldest. In order for the Steelers to have a legitimate shot to compete come playoff time, Ben Roethlisberger must not only be on the field but in great physical condition. He can’t be on a pitch count with his arm or hobbled with nagging injuries.

Though a Week 8 bye would have been ideal this year, it’s something that doesn’t appear to be on the table at this point. Whether we like it or not, Pittsburgh has got a long road ahead of them. Let’s hope they can hold up throughout the season and the playoffs this year.