NFL PLAYOFFS Worse record is OK with Steelers

Last year's 15-1 record didn't get it done; this year's 13-5 has -- so far.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- Despite taking a vastly different road to this year's AFC Championship Game, there's a feeling in the Steelers locker room that this year's team is an upgrade over last year's 15-1 model.
Those on the outside might wonder how a team that lost five games in the regular season and needed to win its final four just to qualify for the postseason as the AFC's sixth seed could top a squad that possessed homefield advantage for last year's playoffs.
"People always ask 'How do you live up to the 15-1 expectations from last year?' and I've told people from day one that we can be a better team [but] not have as good as a record," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Friday. "I think we've proved that this year.
"I feel we're better on offense; at least I've played better," Roethlisberger said.
The showdown
Sunday at 3 p.m., the Steelers (13-5) will play the second-seeded Denver Broncos (14-3) at Invesco Field at Mile High for a berth in Super Bowl XL.
Tailback Jerome Bettis, who is likely playing his final season, said the progress Roethlisberger has made from his rookie season is a key to how well the Steelers have fared in their two playoff wins.
"This year is totally different," Bettis said. "He understands that he needs to manage the game. He just needs to make the plays that he's supposed to make. I think that's the biggest difference from last year."
In 2004, Roethlisberger, a rookie, became the starter after Tommy Maddox was injured in a 30-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in week two.
By fine-tuning the game plan and limiting throws, the Steelers rattled off 13 straight victories with Roethlisberger under center. That streak included wins over the defending champion Patriots and the Eagles (then the NFC's best team).
Postseason blues
But the postseason was another matter. Roethlisberger struggled, throwing five interceptions in home games against the Jets (a 20-17 overtime win) and Patriots (a 41-27 loss).
"My performance, I felt, was not up to par by any means," said Roethlisberger.
"It definitely motivates [me] to play better this year, not to let guys down, especially guys like Jerome Bettis, guys you're in this thing to win it for."
Roethlisberger said the Steelers' season turned in early December after a three-game losing streak had virtually eliminated their chance to win the AFC North Division.
The team held a players-only meeting after their Dec. 4 loss to the Bengals at Heinz Field (38-31).
"That was the moment when we said to each other that, 'Listen, it's do-or-die, it's win-or-go-home the rest of the way out,' " said Roethlisberger.
The Steelers revived their playoff hopes on Dec. 11 with a 21-9 victory over the Chicago Bears. Bettis rumbled for 101 yards, the only time this season he's hit triple digits.
Wins at Minnesota and Cleveland followed and the Steelers clinched the AFC's sixth seed Jan. 1 with a victory over the Lions.
In the postseason, the Steelers eliminated the third-seeded Bengals (31-17) and top-seeded Colts (21-18) to become the first sixth seed to play for a Super Bowl berth.
Question
So having reached the same plateau as last year's 15-1 team, are they better?
"It's hard to say it's a better team," Bettis said, "but it's a different team because of different weapons. We use different parts of the field. Last year we had a deeper vertical game.
"This team is really built to go on the road and do some good things because it's a ball-control offense," Bettis said.
Roethlisberger, who has suffered leg injuries plus a sore right (throwing) thumb this season, says he's "feeling a lot more comfortable this time around.
"I'm better rested, my body feels a lot better. I'm more comfortable with the offense. I'm not as overwhelmed as I was the first time I was in this situation.
"For five, six weeks, it's been do-or-die for us," Roethlisberger said. "We've been playing great football as a team. In all aspects of the game, we've been clicking on all cylinders.
"All of us are playing with a lot of confidence in each other and I think that's important."
Are they better? The answer will be revealed Sunday.
williams@vindy.com