You don’t get to the NFL by being passive or apathetic. Football is played by proud men. Alpha males. Men who were programmed from an early age that losing is for the weak and that any disrespect (even if it’s just perceived that way) be met with wrath and vengeance.
This is why the Pittsburgh Steelers will enter tomorrow’s matchup with the Cleveland Browns eager to avenge their upset loss in Week 12. They will be out for blood against their 3-9 division rivals, itching to prove the prior loss was a fluke.
The Steelers will be playing with a chip on their shoulder, and that’s not the only reason that some of them will be playing with an extra edge.