Tim Benz: Biggest threats to Steelers — Baltimore, K.C., Titans, and ... the Jets?

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, we know the biggest threats between them and a Super Bowl berth.

The Ravens, Titans, Chiefs and Bills all leap to mind.

But here’s another team of significant concern: the New York Jets.

Yes. Those 0-6 New York Jets. A team not even on the Steelers’ schedule this year. A team that is so bad it may figure out a way to go 0-17 in a 16-game season.

I’m also worried about the likes of the 1-5 Jaguars, the 1-5 Falcons and the 1-5 Vikings.

Not to mention the entire dumpster fire of a division in the NFC East.

Why?

Because this is a bad year to have so many bad teams in the NFL.

With covid-19 guidelines being as restrictive and annoying as they are for everyone involved, the very premise of making them effective is scaring players into following them.

In other words, be on your details with the protocols or you may test positive and be sidelined for multiple weeks. And you may get your teammates sick. You may screw up the entire NFL schedule. You may even cause your team to forfeit games and the league to shut down.

The threat is, “Don’t be that guy!” Don’t be the violator of that “one fail, all fail” edict, to borrow a phrase from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

Staying diligent about mask-wearing and essentially living a cloistered life away from the team facilities may be more worthwhile if you are chasing a Super Bowl ring.

It probably will feel a lot more burdensome in December if you’ve got double-digit losses and the rosters are playing out the string. Perhaps, at that point, some frustrated players stop thinking in such a selfless, team-first, league-oriented manner 24/7.

That could lead to decreased diligence.

Steelers player rep Cameron Heyward is hoping the failure of some teams in the win-loss column won’t lead to the failure of the league being able to push through this incredibly difficult challenge of keeping so many players covid-free for so long.

“Even if you aren’t in the playoff race, you have a job to do,” Heyward said. “There’s no reason you should be lacking.

“We have to stay diligent. Stay on top of it. Continue to have your mask. Make sure we do what we can to have this season go through.”

Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner places the onus on coaches to lead by example.

“I’m the guy that hasn’t had a haircut since March 16,” Fichtner said Thursday. “I haven’t gone to the gas station. I haven’t gone to the grocery store. I haven’t gone to a restaurant. I’m going to be (at team headquarters). And I’m going to be at my apartment. And our guys know that.”

The Steelers face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, an organization that already has dealt with a covid-19 outbreak.

“Whatever they send us, that’s what we follow. … Whatever protocol we get,” Vrabel insisted Wednesday.

At 5-0 like the Steelers, Vrabel’s team can’t afford another slip-up. Especially since the league is watching them on high alert after reported violations of practice policy and mask-wearing that may have contributed to their breakout. The prospect of a Super Bowl trip for just the second time since the team moved to Nashville should help make the franchise more buttoned-up after their first scare.

Losing teams may not be aided by the same level of positive reinforcement to stay on task. At least in the NFC East, those franchises are so bad together, that divisional, um, “race” will keep them on the right path. And there is the hope of a third wild card this year in both conferences.

But if you are a team that has absolutely no hope of the playoffs like the Jets, and you are already playing out the string in October, dedication toward regulations may fade.

After all, do you think pro athletes are going to want to get tested daily, wear masks nonstop, and fret about social distancing constantly for 11 more weeks? Just so they go out and play bad football in frigid empty stadiums through the holidays?

It’s still the high-paying job it has always been. Just not close to as glamorous as it was as recently as last year.

Battling covid-19 is hard enough from a health perspective. Boredom, fatigue and a feeling of hopelessness from unmotivated players on losing teams just trying to get the season over with should be just as much of a concern.

And it’s something the NFL and the NFL Players Association leadership should address — frequently — through stern reminders during the rest of the season.

True, the NFL is prepared to move the Super Bowl to March if it has to tweak the schedule repeatedly. It’s prepared to. But that’s the last thing in the world the league actually wants to do.

So, say it with me: “J-E-T-S! Jets, Jets, Jets!” Get a few wins. Stay relevant. Stay dedicated.

Don’t be “those guys.”