Pittsburgh Steelers Team Headlines: The Playoffs Are In Sight, One Player Gets Endorsement For MVP
By Danny Cox
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a few breakout stars this season. However, Ben Roethlisberger believes there is one player in particular who has carried the team squarely on his shoulders. Of course, he is talking about Le'Veon Bell and his magnificent season.
Roethlisberger believes Bell should be league's 2016 MVP
Even though he missed the first three games of the season due to serving a suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, running back Le'Veon Bell is having a monster year. In 10 games, he has 1,053 rushing yards and 563 receiving yards with seven total touchdowns. He's averaging 161.6 yards from scrimmage per game and this is after earning a franchise-record 235 yards this past Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Again, even with three missed games, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger feels as if he knows who should win the NFL MVP award for 2016.
"I put my vote for [No.] 2-6 any day," Roethlisberger said in the Steelers' locker room on Wednesday.
Right now, Bell has some rather stiff competition for the NFL MVP award this year, as quarterbacks Derek Carr, Tom Brady, and Matt Ryan are in the heart of the race. Dallas Cowboys' rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott is also making his case for the award, as he has 1,392 yards on the ground, 322 receiving and 13 total touchdowns.
With playoff implications on the line, the Steelers must defeat the Bengals
As things currently stand, the Pittsburgh Steelers hold the number three seed in the AFC playoffs, as they are sitting on top of the AFC North with a record of 8-5. However, they don't have a lot of leeway, as there are a number of teams close behind them.
This weekend, the Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals (5-7-1) and could essentially knock them out of the playoffs with a win. Earlier this season, the Steelers defeated the Bengals 24-16 and that was in week two when Bell was serving his suspension. Now, they have a much healthier roster and a team that is on a four-game winning streak.
In week 16, the Steelers take on the Baltimore Ravens in a game which could end up deciding the winner of the AFC North. With Baltimore losing a close game to the New England Patriots this past week, they lost their tie atop the division, which hurts them at this point in the season. Weeks ago, the Ravens edged the Steelers 21-14, but the Steelers have played much better ball since then.
In the final game of the season, Pittsburgh will take on the winless Cleveland Browns, but by then, the playoffs may already be cemented in place.
A win over the Bengals will get them much closer to the playoffs. Winning this weekend and defeating the Baltimore Ravens next week will lock it up.
