Pro Football Grapevine

I was shocked that 3 out of 4 home teams lost over the weekend.  But not Pittsburgh.  Why?  Alex Marvez of Fox Sports says it was, in part, how they used their bye week.

Bye-week preparation laid the groundwork for Sunday’s dominance. The Steelers practiced for only three days but put the time to good use. Rather than attempting to game-plan for a potential opponent, Steelers coaches stressed fundamentals that had slipped and challenged players through sessions that matched the first-team offense and defense.

“It made it a little competitive,” Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith said.

Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin gave his team the weekend off. But unlike the 2007 Dallas Cowboys, there were no sightings of Steelers players in Cabo San Lucas or any other off-field controversy.

“You’ve got a mature team that understands a week off isn’t a vacation,” said Smith, a 10-year NFL veteran. “You’ve got to keep that edge.”

Pittsburgh’s impressive outing against San Diego also reflects the stronger bond Tomlin has built with his players. During Tomlin’s head-coaching debut in 2007, Pittsburgh had become a tired team by season’s end. It was evident when the Steelers lost a first-round home playoff game to Jacksonville.

Tomlin has adjusted his practice schedule accordingly, resulting in a fresher team in January. (Source)