Steelers Daily News & Links: Tomlin’s Team Meeting, Herbig’s Splash Play

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🏈 During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson said nobody lost faith in Mike Tomlin during Pittsburgh’s three-game losing streak from Weeks 13-15.

“Coach is the same each and everyday. Everyday, each and every week, creates different obstacles, different challenges, and Coach understands that,” Peterson said. “There’s going to be ebbs and flows through every season. Everyone has ebbs and flows throughout their season. Last time I checked, there’s only one perfect season in the NFL, and that’s the Miami Dolphins (in 1972). So, you’re going to win games (and) you’re going to lose games.”

Peterson didn’t disclose the inner details but he said there was one team meeting where Tomlin forced some guys to look themselves in the mirror.

“That’s what a coach is supposed to do. Forces his guys to dig down deep to find their better selves. And Coach does a great job of doing that each and every week,” Peterson said. “I’m not saying that Coach is motivating grown men, but he does a great job of having guys understand the position that we are in and don’t take it lightly. And for me, that’s why I love being around Coach because a lot of coaches don’t give you that hope or that inspirational fire that you may need to go into a game.”

💻 @P2

The @steelers corner told us even throughout a season of ups and downs that has them on the verge of another playoff berth, why nobody lost faith in Mike Tomlin:#NFL #HereWeGo #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/q5ZSE074p1

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) January 4, 2024

🏈 With Lamar Jackson sidelined due to the Baltimore Ravens having the No. 1 seed in the AFC locked up, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley is going to try to seize the moment against the Steelers on Saturday. It will be Huntley’s fourth career start against the Steelers. He’s 1-2 in his three previous starts against Pittsburgh.

“I’m just going to seize the moment and do what I do,” Huntley said, via the team’s website. “The Steelers are a physical team, and it’s always a good game. We’ve just got to score points, and our defense is going to handle the rest.”

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🏈 Pro Football Talk: T.J. Watt, who led the NFL in sacks in both 2020 and 2021, is currently tied for the league lead this season, with 17 sacks. If he’s still the league leader after Sunday’s games, he’ll be the first player ever to have the official league lead in three different seasons.

Several players besides Watt have led the league in sacks in two different seasons, most recently his older brother J.J. Watt, who led the NFL in sacks in 2012 and 2015. Others who have done it are Jared Allen, DeMarcus Ware, Michael Strahan, Kevin Greene, Reggie White and Mark Gastineau.

🏈 Steelers.com: The Steelers announced a total of $489,250 in donations, from both the organization and individual players, to their Social Justice Fund Initiative this past year. Since its inception in 2018, the team and its players have donated total of $2,339,970.