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Steelers head into season finale needing a win and some help to make playoffs

If the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) are to make the playoffs, they’ll need to beat their rivals in Baltimore (13-2) and then hope Houston finds a way to take care of Tennessee. The Texans may or may not have anything to play for depending on the outcome of the Chiefs-Chargers game at 1:00 p.m. this Sunday afternoon.

First, to beat a team that has already wrapped up the AFC #1 seed, and will be resting several key starters, including probable MVP Lamar Jackson, the Steelers will need their offense, namely their quarterback, to score more than just one offensive touchdown, something Pittsburgh has done in seven out the last eight games.

Devlin “Duck” Hodges was the toast of the town when he started off 3-0 for the Steelers. The quarterback of Samford, not to be confused with Stanford, was an undrafted free agent, cut by the team at the end of training camp, only to be resigned after the team traded Josh Dobbs away.

No one ever dreamed that Hodges would see one play this year, let alone almost leading the team to a playoff spot after Ben Roethlisberger was injured in week two, and Mason Rudolph suffered not one, but two different injuries that lead to Hodges manning the Pittsburgh offense.

He has done about as good as anyone could’ve written for a rags to riches Hollywood-esque style story as the Steelers quarterback. He doesn’t have the greatest arm, but what he lacked in pure talent, was offset by a cool presence in the pocket and a brash confidence that would make any Southerner proud.

Since the Buffalo Bills game, Hodges has hit a wall, throwing just one touchdown and six interceptions. He has also been sacked seven times in the last two games.

Now, with Rudolph out again, this time for good, Hodges will have one more chance to make amends and put this team in position to make the playoffs as the AFC #6 seed.

His teammates and coaches still believe he can right the ship and create the storybook ending. They want the Duck that played aggressive and without fear.

“Yeah, you can be aggressive — just throw it to the right person,” said Steelers WR Juju Smith-Schuster with a smile.

“That’s it. ‘Duck, c’mon man, we’re not playing duck-duck-goose. Throw it to the right person, Duck. Let’s get it.’”

Smith-Schuster is looking to re-establish himself in the passing game after a down season racked with injuries. Like Hodges, Juju has one game left to make something of the 2019 season.

“I would expect that he would eliminate any mistakes that he’s made, and whatever mistake he makes in this game would be a new one,” offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said Thursday. “He’s been pretty good at that, minus a handful of balls that just could have been in other places (or when he) could have been more protective of the football. As far as game management and some of the things he’s done with protection and learning the system, he’s done really well.”

Both Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels are eager to get the ground game going with James Conner out again with another injury. Balance for this offense would help immensely and hopefully take some of the pressure of the shoulders of Devlin Hodges.

“The mentality, everything stays the same,” Snell said Friday. “Nothing really ever changes. It’s just an opportunity to show what I can do.”

Snell is second behind Conner on the Steelers with 335 rushing yards.

Kerrith Whyte is also looking for an opportunity to shine.

“Whatever the team calls me for, I’ll be ready,” Whyte said. “I’m a change-of-pace back. When I come in, I try to make something happen and provide a spark for the team.”