3 reasons Steelers can still win without Antonio Brown
By John Buhler
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown suffered a calf injury versus the New England Patriots. Here are three reasons the Steelers will be fine.
It was a moment that the Pittsburgh Steelers were not ready for. Their star receiver Antonio Brown had to exit the game with a calf injury that occurred on an incomplete pass in the end zone. The Steelers were playing their biggest game of the season against the New England Patriots. This game will probably decide home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs.
Though the Steelers have a ton of talented players, Brown has been their MVP candidate through the first 14 weeks of the season. He had a shot at getting to 2,000 receiving yards this season before exiting in the first half of this ball game against the Steelers. Regardless, he’s still a sure-fire All-Pro this year anyway.
Pittsburgh could be in all sorts of panic at this time. Not having Brown potentially for any extended period of time could sink the Steelers’ Super Bowl LII aspirations. Time is running out on the Big Ben Roethlisberger Clock. Who knows when the Steelers will be this good again?
The pressure is on the Steelers to get it done this season, but there are three reasons that the Steelers shouldn’t fret about Brown’s injury suffered on Sunday afternoon. The Steelers can get by alright without him in the short-term and here’s why.
3. It doesn’t seem to be the worst injury in the world (maybe)
It’s a calf injury. No, this is not a torn ACL, a broken ankle or a nagging high ankle sprain. This seems to be an injury that will keep Brown sidelined for the rest of the game and maybe have him limited in some capacity in Week 16. Pittsburgh has already clinched the AFC North, so they will have a home playoff game to play any way.
The Steelers once won the Super Bowl as a No. 6 seed in Roethlisberger’s younger days. This is a step-up football franchise is there ever was one. There is a reason that the Steelers have more Super Bowl victories (six) than any other NFL franchise. No. 7 could totally be in play, even if Brown doesn’t make a return until some time in January.
Frankly, the Steelers have a bunch of offensive weapons and an improving defense to lean on while Brown recovers from his calf injury. The Steelers know that they will need him down the stretch, preferably by the championship or divisional rounds.
Pittsburgh was the second team to clinch a 2017 playoff berth and did so last week by beating the archrival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football. It’s not like the Steelers are clawing to be 9-7 and get the No. 6 seed. This is just a calf injury and Pittsburgh is already in the playoff picture. You’ll be alright.