Associated Press
PITTSBURGH ó For Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, the evidence still hurt.
Tomlin sat through all 13 plays of misery, watched every last second of tape of Baltimore’s game-winning drive in a 23-20 victory on Sunday night.
“To be quite frank with you, it stung as much yesterday as it did on Sunday night, as it should,” Tomlin said. “We lost a very tough, close ballgame, highly contested. … Hopefully we will grow and learn from it. I know those will be our intentions. I truly believe that it will strengthen us moving forward.”
If the Steelers (6-3) want to stay in the playoff picture in the crowded AFC, they don’t really have a choice. A hangover of any kind could be costly, particularly on Sunday against surprising Cincinnati (6-2).
EAGLES STINGING, TOO
PHILADELPHIA ó All the preseason hype about the Philadelphia Eagles’ potential is gone. They’re just trying to salvage the season at this point.
What was supposed to be a dream season is turning into a nightmare. The Eagles fell to 3-5 with a 30-24 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night.
Since 1978 when the NFL went to a 16-game regular-season schedule, Philadelphia has been 3-5 or worse after eight games six times.
Each of the first five times ended without a trip to the playoffs.
“It’s not early anymore, it’s getting late,” Eagles tight end Brent Celek said. “We’re halfway through and we have a terrible record. In all reality, we have to go on a streak. It’s that simple.”
HAYNESWORTH OUT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. ó The New England Patriots took just half a season to decide they didn’t need Albert Haynesworth.
Two days after he sat out most of the second half against the New York Giants, the Patriots released the defensive lineman they obtained after his rocky two-year stay with the Washington Redskins.
In six games with the Patriots, Haynesworth had just six tackles and no sacks. His last play came in Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the Giants when left guard David Diehl blocked him to clear the way for Brandon Jacobs’ 10-yard touchdown run with 9:10 left in the third quarter.
PANTHERS
CHARLOTTE ó Panthers practice squad linebacker Lawrence Wilson has been released from the team after being cited for speeding and marijuana possession during Carolina’s bye week.
The team added rookie cornerback Brandon Hogan and signed rookie defensive end Thomas Keiser.