Steelers' Cameron Heyward Absolutely Perplexed That A Talented Eric Rowe Fell Into Pittsburgh's Lap

The game against the Ravens didn't seem to be going Rowe's way, with the safety suffering a neck injury in the second quarter. Miles Killebrew stepped in with Rowe on the sidelines, but he wasn't out for long. With more than seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Steelers needed a big play, and Rowe provided that with a huge forced fumble that gave the Steelers the ball deep in Baltimore territory. Following Pittsburgh's 17-10 win over the Ravens, Heyward let the media know how much he thinks of Rowe.

"Guys stepped up. A guy like E Rowe... Eric Rowe, man, um, I don't know how he wasn't on a da** team! I mean, that dude has just balled out, and we've needed every bit of it."

With multiple linebackers going down during the 2023 season and star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick missing the Week 18 clash, Rowe coming through and forcing a fumble wasn't the only impact he made, but it was certainly one of the biggest. With the postseason a real possibility for this squad, they will need more of what Rowe brings if their season continues.

Steelers Impressed With What Rowe Brings

When the Steelers play the Ravens, it always matters, but this one was yet another contest that meant more on the grand NFL scale. Baltimore had already clinched the top seed in the AFC, but there was AFC North pride on the line in their Week 18 clash. Mike Tomlin understands more than most, considering how often the longtime coach has played them, so when the Steelers emerged with a hard-fought win, Tomlin wanted to praise the deserving ones who stepped up.

"Can't say enough about Eric Rowe. Man, on another elevation, man, made a significant play on that punch out. His efforts, um, Myles Jack's efforts, man, just solidifying us in some positions, man, where we were -- we were really low on manpower. And, um, those two guys have been significant, not only today, but over the last three weeks in terms of what we've done...I'd be remiss if I didn't mention those two guys as well."

It hasn't been an easy 2023 season by any means, with the firing of Matt Canada and the possibility that Kenny Pickett might not be the future of the franchise. Despite a massive amount going against them, Pittsburgh has clawed their way to a 10-7 record that has them within reach of a postseason spot.

Thanks to a brutal three-game losing streak at the worst possible time against some of the worst teams in the league, the Steelers aren't able to join the playoffs on their own merit. If they get the necessary help from other AFC teams, then their season could be extended, but if not, Pittsburgh would have no one but themselves to blame. Rowe has brought fantastic energy and a great deal of effort to his game, but if the Steelers are to not only clinch the postseason but make a real dent, it will take everything they have.

Nothing has gone according to plan in 2023, and a bad weather game with one of the worst officiating crews in the league seemed right along the lines the season has followed. When everything was on the line, the Steelers pulled together and came away with a true team win. That is a credit to Rowe and every other player like him that the Steelers can thank for being in the hopeful position they are.

How many playoff games will the Steelers win in 2023? Who will the Steelers play in the 2023 playoffs?