The off week is coming at an opportune time for the Steelers. Starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert and starting defensive end Stephon Tuitt, both of whom have been nagged by injuries in the first half of the season, hope to use the extra week of rest in an effort to get healthy for the second half of the season.
Getting healthy will be important for the Steelers and figuring out a way to reverse a recent trend once they resume play Nov. 12 in Indianapolis.
The Steelers are 0-3 after their past three off weeks. This after coach Mike Tomlin won six in a row after off weeks from 2008-13, eight in a row if you count playoff victories after the 2008 and 2010 seasons.