No postseason for Steelers; Players can't hide disappointment

PITTSBURGH — Not a fun locker room to be in after the game. The Steelers are officially out of postseason contention after losing on a last-second field goal to the Bengals at Heinz Field 13-10.

I caught up with Steelers safety Ryan Clark moments after the loss.

"It was all or nothing," Clark said. "We knew we had to win or it was over."

Ben Roethlisberger made two crucial mistakes. He threw two interceptions, one that the Bengals ran back for a touchdown and another that led to the game-winning field goal. The quarterback took all the blame after the game for the Steelers failure to make the postseason.

"We should be in, if it wasn't for me," Big Ben lamented, telling reporters that he felt like he let a lot of people down.

It was the Steelers' third consecutive loss. Steelers offensive lineman Max Starks told me, "It sucks."

Disappointment was the theme of the postgame interviews.

"It doesn't feel good," Rashard Mendenhall said. "We got to chew on this."

Cornerback Keenan Lewis allowed A.J. Green to make the catch that put the Bengals in field goal position with less than 30 seconds to go. He said, "We've got to move on."

The Steelers still have one more game on the schedule, hosting Cleveland next Sunday at Heinz Field. It's a meaningless game for the playoffs, but not a meaningless game for all of the players. Many Steelers are fighting for jobs or contracts next season. Larry Foote knows time could be running out for him and some of his teammates.

"As an older guy, I have a lot to play for," Foote said. "It might be my last game."

WPXI