Jack Sawyer was part of a long College Football Playoff run last season in helping Ohio State win the national championship. The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker would like a similar experience in his rookie season in the NFL.
The Steelers (8-6) hold a one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens (7-7) in the AFC North with three games remaining. On Sunday, the Steelers will try to stay in sole possession of first place when they visit the Lions (8-6) at Ford Field in Detroit.
Being in the playoff hunt is like Christmas for Sawyer, and not just because the big holiday is less than a week away.
"It's awesome," Sawyer said. “This is what you live for. It is what we play the game for. Being later in the year, the games get heightened, and there's more at stake. It's what you play this game for. It's exciting, and it's a great opportunity for us.”
Sawyer is likely to play a significant number of snaps on Sunday. Four-time All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt will miss a second straight game since undergoing surgery to repair a collapsed lung. Nick Herbig, Watt’s backup, is listed as doubtful because of a hamstring injury.
That leaves Sawyer and Jeremiah Moon, who was signed off the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad this week, as the only healthy outside linebackers besides Alex Highsmith. Sawyer says he has learned a lot from Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig. Sawyer has tried to apply those lessons on the field.
"I feel like every day I'm learning something new from them to take with me into game day,” Sawyer said. “They provide so much detail of everything to play the position. So just trying to pick up things every day. I'm just coming in here trying to get better every day, prepare myself for anything, and then go out there and play to my fullest potential.
"I'm just getting ready for a game against a good opponent. Good offensive line, good quarterback. Playmakers all over the field. So, I'm preparing every day like I would normally."
Sawyer has played 21 percent of the Steelers’ defensive snaps this season. He has 26 tackles, including two for loss, along with a sack and an interception. Sawyer has also made a mark on special teams.
"Jack is doing what a lot of young, quality defenders do: They make the best with what you ask them to do, and they work in all areas and get better," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Usually, those that are playmakers on special teams eventually become playmakers on defense, and he's certainly been that for us.
“And so, I'm never surprised when they transfer that playmaking to the defensive side when they get more opportunities to do so. He's had some opportunities this year, has made some plays, has had a sack, has had an interception, and so I wouldn't be surprised if he displays that readiness if he gets an expanded role opportunity this week."