Steelers rookies realize urgency of raised stakes in preparation for Ravens in 1st playoffs

As the Pittsburgh Steelers practiced for Saturday’s AFC wild-card game against the Baltimore Ravens, the stakes started to sink in for four rookies who played significant roles this season.

It was a normal game week, save the consequences.

“It’s single elimination. Win, you move on; lose, you go home,” center Zach Frazier said. “That’s the urgency.”

Frazier’s sentiment was echoed in the Steelers’ locker room at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex this week by right guard Mason McCormick, inside linebacker Payton Wilson and nickel back Beanie Bishop.

All four have started for the Steelers this season, whether they were ready or not. Frazier and McCormick served as stalwarts on the offensive line, whereas Wilson and Bishop were key contributors on defense who ranked among the team’s statistical leaders.

A second-round pick, Frazier started in 15 games (missing two with an ankle injury) and won the Joe Greene Award as the team’s top rookie. McCormick, a fourth-round pick who started 14 games, was listed as questionable after breaking his left hand in the fourth quarter of the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Frazier is hoping his right-hand man will be able to play against the Ravens. If McCormick can’t go, second-year offensive lineman Spencer Anderson is expected to start in his place.

“As far as preparation, you go through the same process,” Frazier said. “And it’s a team we’ve already played twice, so there’s a lot of familiarity. We know them well.”

Wilson, a third-round pick who played in all 17 games and started four, finished fourth with 78 tackles. He also had two fumble recoveries, including one he returned for a touchdown at Cincinnati, and a key interception in the Steelers’ 18-16 win over the Ravens in their first meeting of the season Nov. 17.

After tying his career-best with 10 tackles (eight solo) in the 19-17 loss to the Bengals last weekend at Acrisure Stadium, Wilson was looking forward to his first taste of the NFL postseason.

“It’s exciting. This is the brand-new season for me now. The playoff starts,” Wilson said. “We’ve got a whole new intent.”

And a whole new level of intensity, Bishop said, because of the win-or-go-home scenario.

An undrafted free agent, Bishop proved to be a pleasant surprise when he won the nickel corner job and started six games before veteran Cameron Sutton returned from a suspension.

The 5-foot-9, 192-pound Bishop ranks second on the Steelers with four interceptions, including two off Aaron Rodgers against the New York Jets and one to clinch a 26-18 win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. He didn’t have another pick until the season finale.

“I know I can’t control how much I play and things like that. The plays that I do have, I try to make sure that I don’t make any mistakes and be opportunistic,” Bishop said. “The ball finds good players. Just trying to be where I’m supposed to be. Obviously, there’s only one football so if I’m in zone I get to see the ball and things like that. Just try to go out there and be me still, even though I’m not playing as much. Just going out there and trying to stay ready.”

That’s been the biggest lesson for the Steelers’ four rookie regulars this season: the importance of being ready when opportunity calls. That’s especially true with the heightened stakes in the playoffs.

“You want to win every ball game,” Wilson said, “whether it’s the first one of the season or the Super Bowl.”