The Sports Monitor

View image | gettyimages.com Who had Ben Roethlisberger setting the NFL record for most yards by a backup in their office pool? 379. As in 379 yards passing. In a relief role. That's one heck of a day. Of course, it helps having two stellar wideouts like Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant to throw to. Yeah, and it's nice having the Browns on the other side, too, simply to add to the fun. Now the Steelers get a much-needed break before heading to Seattle. And, if you're keeping track at home, the Steelers (6-4) lead the Bills (5-4) and Jets (5-4) in the wild-card standings.

View image | gettyimages.com Now what? What do the Steelers do now that Ben Roethlisberger will be out for a couple more weeks? Well, to steal a phrase from the Raiders: Just win, baby. Whether they're playing without Le'Veon Bell, Maurkice Pouncey, Martavis Bryant or Roethlisberger the first time, the Steelers are somehow finding a way to win. The next man up, as coach Mike Tomlin likes to say, has stepped up. Landry Jones did. Well, he did what he needed to do -- get Antonio Brown the ball. Now, Pittsburgh enters Cleveland week knowing they'll be without Big Ben -- this time with a sprained foot -- but also knowing they're in the driver's seat for a playoff spot. If the season ended today, they'd be in. They're 5-4, just behind the Jets (5-3) and just ahead of the Bills (4-4) and Raiders (4-4). Anyone think they can't beat the dysfunctional Browns without Ben? I know they can. Then they get a bye. And a chance to regr...

View image | gettyimages.com There's something about this Steelers team that's growing on me. Of course, when your team pulls off an upset win directed by the third-string quarterback like it did in Sunday's 25-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, it's easy to like them. The Steelers are 4-2 and they still haven't played with Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant in the same lineup. That offense can be scary good. But what really has impressed me has been the play of the defense, generally thought to be a work in progress entering the season. Yeah, the D gave up oodles of yards to Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, but the defense made the plays when it had to. And, in case you forgot, the Cardinals entered the game and still have scored the most points in the NFL. And the Steelers have held the Patriots to their lowest total of the season so far. It's only six games, and a lot still can happen, but right now, the ...