For the Pittsburgh Steelers, their last game proved that their consistency, willingness, and devotion will take them to the NFL playoffs. Each player had a specific role to play, whether simple or complicated, that needed to be fulfilled to prove that they are, indeed, a valuable playoff team. The Steelers victory over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, proved just that. To close out the infamous rivalry with a much needed win was Steelers kicker, Shaun Suisham.
In this do-or-die game, Suisham was 3-for-3 against Baltimore, hitting from 46, 41 and 42 yards. The city of Pittsburgh clung to their seats as Suisham stepped onto Heinz Field yet, his poise and steadiness took precedence over the loud, flamboyant crowd at M & T Bank stadium. As time expired, Suisham drilled the 42-yarder to seal the deal.
With securing a Steelers win over Baltimore with his right toe, Suisham was named AFC special teams player of the week for the second time this year and the third time for his career. He has five game-winners in his Steelers career including two other final play kicks this season. These two game winning kicks came from his 34-yarder to beat the Eagles, 16-14, and his 23-yarder that defeated the Chiefs in overtime.
Suisham, a 30-year-old Canadian, is 24-of-25 (.960) this season, including 9-for-9 in between 40 and 49 yards. Last season, he was 6-of-11 from that distance and made just 74 percent (23 of 31) of his kicks. Luckily, with the mindful coaching of Special Teams Coach, Al Everest, Shaun is proving to be one of the best kickers in the league.
“You learn that you’re only as good as your last kick” said Everest. “The bottom line is to go one-for-one and the adjectives are not important to you, whether they be ‘game-winner’ or ‘long.’ Adjectives are never good.”
With this said, Suisham is having the best season of his career with kicking 24-of-25 field goal attempts, with only missing one, a 54 yard attempt against the Titans in Week 6. However, he hasn’t missed since and the Pittsburgh Steelers are beyond thankful for his steel toe as they head into Sunday’s game against San Diego (4-8).
The Pittsburgh Steelers are hungry for yet another playoff berth, third straight, to be exact. And who better to have amongst the Steelers team than calm and collected, No. 6, Shaun Suisham.
“I don’t remember the kicks I make…I’m expected to and I expect it of myself.” Suisham said. “It’s my job.”
Photo Credits: Associated Press
