Mike Tomlin quickly turns attention to Steelers' Week 14 game with Vikings
Facing the media about 16 hours after his team held on for a pulsating 20-19 victory against the Baltimore Ravens, Mike Tomlin admitted Monday that he doesn’t have time to dwell on the victory.
Not with the Minnesota Vikings looming on the schedule in three days when the Pittsburgh Steelers play their annual Thursday night game.
“I hadn’t watched one snap of the game,” Tomlin said on a day when he typically conducts film review with his players and coaches. “Often when you’re challenged with a short week like this, you keep moving forward. At some point I’m sure I will get an opportunity to watch it and dissect it. … I’ve just moved on to Minnesota.”
The Steelers snapped an 0-2-1 stretch with their last-second victory against the Ravens. They will take a 6-5-1 record into the game against 5-7 Vikings, who are coming off a 29-27 loss to the previously winless Detroit Lions.
“You develop rhythms and things that work for you over the course of the season,” Tomlin said. “That’s been the fun process, a good process. The Vikings are going through the same process. The variables are really similar.
“We have a very level playing field this week. Both are working on a short week, both are lacking familiarity, both are minus a few significant pieces in some areas. That’s just NFL in December.”
The Steelers likely won’t have cornerback Joe Haden for a fourth game in a row because of a foot injury. Left guard B.J. Finney, starting because of injuries to two other players, left the game after the first series with a back injury that could keep him from returning Thursday. Defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs also missed the game with a foot injury.
The Vikings should be without star running back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) and wide receiver Adam Thielen (ankle).
“We focus on the things we do have control over, the days we have to prepare, the men that are at our disposal,” Tomlin said, “and the plan we are in the process of developing.”
The Steelers also have several players on the reserve/covid list. Given the quick turnaround, don’t expect Tomlin to make any changes to his starting lineup on offense or defense. Finney was having his back checked by a doctor, and Haden was receiving treatment on his foot.
“It’s always challenging on a short week to have an inclusive mentality about those that are less than ready,” Tomlin said. “You don’t have full practices or participation to evaluate their readiness. It’s a component of it. The sheer time and quickness of the way the week moves means there’s not a lot of opportunity for people to get on the moving train.”
Here is some of what else Tomlin had to say at his press conference:
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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