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PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The play might not have happened in September. Stephon Tuitt might not have been ready. Vince Williams might not have even been on the field.Yet there Tuitt was last Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive tackle slamming into Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles in the third quarter of a four-point game. There was Williams, a second-year linebacker who wasnt part of the plan a few weeks ago, pouncing on the ball. There were the Steelers reclaiming momentum and a 20-12 victory that assured them of a return to the playoffs after a two-year absence.That was an awesome moment, a spectacular moment of the game, Tuitt said. Im glad I could be a part of it.Something thats happening with increased regularity over the last two months as Pittsburgh (10-5) surged toward the post-season. The influx of youth the Steelers needed to overhaul an aging roster is starting to mature. Each weekend, a bevy of 20-somethings have propelled the franchise back to relevance after consecutive 8-8 seasons.Pittsburgh can win the AFC North with a victory over Cincinnati (10-4-1) on Sunday night. It would be the franchises first division title since 2010. Thats not considered a drought in most places. Then again, Tuitt knows he doesnt work in most places. The main hallway at the team headquarters is the only spot in the world where theres a display filled with a half-dozen Vince Lombardi trophies.Those seven-pound, 22-inch symbols of greatness are a constant reminder the team didnt alter its definition of success even as it underwent a seismic roster shift following a wild card loss to Denver in the 2011 playoffs.Only 21 players remain from the group that walked off the field in stunning disbelief after Tim Tebow — yes, Tim Tebow — and Demaryius Thomas hooked up for an 80-yard catch and run that brought a solid season to a crushing end. In the place of Hines Ward, James Farrior and Aaron Smith is a collection of young 20-somethings like Tuitt and Williams, forced to learn on the fly.The growing process hasnt always been pretty. There was the collapse down the stretch in 2012 that included five losses in the last seven games. The 0-4 start that ended 2013 before it really began. The baffling upset at the hands of Tampa Bay in Week 4.Getting through it wasnt easy. Yet linebacker Sean Spence — who missed all of 2012 and 2013 with a knee injury — believes it might have been unavoidable. The only way to learn is to be on the field. Theres no film preparation that can replace having to get out there and actually do it.The film sessions and practices that accompanied Pittsburghs erratic 3-3 start were difficult. Without them, however, Spence isnt sure the Steelers are back in the playoffs.A lot of young guys have been playing. That can be good and bad. But I think thats been good for us, Spence said. We went through those growing pains early in the season, losing close games, letting teams come back instead of keeping them down when they was down. I think thats paid off a lot.Pittsburgh has outscored the opposition 35-13 in the fourth quarter of its three-game winning streak. All four of the touchdowns have come courtesy of 22-year-old running back LeVeon Bell and the 23-year-old wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Both were still college underclassmen the last time the Steelers won a playoff game. Both will be relied on heavily as the Steelers prep for January.This is about development and about evolving as the season goes on, offensive co-ordinator Todd Haley said. Its an evolution and its guys growing into their roles, understanding their roles sometimes.Even if they can vary from week to week. The Steelers were so frustrated by the slow development along the defensive line they brought back Brett Keisel near the end of training camp and re-signed 36-year-old James Harrison following injuries to Ryan Shazier and Jarvis Jones.Keisels season is over with a torn triceps and Jones and Shazier are now healthy. Yet Williams has played his way into the rotation and Tuitts growth over second half of the year has him playing meaningful snaps in meaningful games. The kids are growing up just in time.You have to give them credit, defensive co-ordinator Dick LeBeau said. They stuck through the ups and downs.NOTES: S Troy Polamalu (knee) and CB Ike Taylor (shoulder, forearm) were limited on Wednesday. Tackle Kelvin Beachum (back), TE Matt Spaeth (elbow) and Williams (ankle) did practice.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Jordan Akins Jersey . -- Darrelle Revis says at least 26 teams called after he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sammie Coates Texans Jersey .J. -- After getting permission from his 7-year-old daughter, New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl has retired after an 11-year career that included two Super Bowl championships. http://www.footballtexansgearsshop.com/C...ed.html?cat=935. 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Martinas Rankin Jersey . Left-handed reliever Boone Logan agreed to a $16.5 million, three-year contract on Friday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Tyrann Mathieu Texans Jersey . Fielder ended 4-for-5 with a solo homer, while Avila was 4-for-4 with two runs scored for the Tigers, who put the brakes on a three-game skid and rebounded from a loss in Mondays opener. Victor Martinez and Austin Jackson both contributed two hits, an RBI and a run scored as Detroit maintained its healthy lead atop the AL Central.SEATTLE -- Another key hit by Jordy Mercer gave the Pittsburgh Pirates their season-high sixth straight win. Mercer hit a go-ahead single with two outs in the ninth inning and the Pirates beat the Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Wednesday. Mercer has come up big for the Pirates in several clutch situations. Hes batting .391 with runners in scoring position with a home run, six RBIs and three walks. "I guess I have a knack for coming up with big hits in big spots," Mercer said. The Pirates improved to 48-30 -- they are 18 games over .500 for the first time since 1992, their last winning season. With the victory, Pittsburgh wraps up a 7-2 road trip to Cincinnati, Anaheim and Seattle. "It was a good trip. Very good trip," manager Clint Hurdle said. Neil Walker hit a two-run homer off Felix Hernandez to put Pittsburgh ahead in the fourth. Seattle tied it in the sixth on Raul Ibanezs team-leading 18th home run, and fourth in four games. It was 2-all when Pedro Alvarez singled to lead off the ninth inning against reliever Charlie Furbush (1-4) and advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Neil Walker. After a groundout by Gaby Sanchez, Travis Snider was intentionally walked. Mercer followed with an RBI single off Yoervis Medina, and the Pirates added an insurance run when a wild pitch on a third strike from Medina allowed Snider to score and Starling Marte to reach first base. Mercer said he had a solid scouting report on Medina from the coaching staff and knew what to expect from the Mariners reliever. "I was just looking to see something over the plate and put a good swing on it," Mercer said. "I gained a little confidence from the previous at-bat before when I singled to right. Just let it get deep and drive it up the middle or the other way and it worked out." Mark Melancon earned his second save of the season. Mike Zunino delivered a pinch-hit single and Nick Franklin singled to put a pair of runners on with two outs in the ninth, but Kyle Seager grounded out. Vin Mazzaro (4-2) picked up the victory with two innings of scoreless relief. Hernandez bounced back to form after his worst start of the season. He blew a seven-run lead against the Los Angeles Angels in his last appearance, but struck out 11 against the Pirates. Hernandez gave up six hits and walked two. "Youve juust got to battle him.dddddddddddd Youve got to battle him and try and get his pitch count up and stay in the game so you can get him out before its the ninth inning," Hurdle said. "We were able to do that. Hes always going to be tough. He competes very, very well out there and the sequence and the stuff he has makes it a very difficult day at the plate." The Mariners squandered a chance to take the lead in the eighth. With the game even, Kendrys Morales doubled and the Pirates intentionally walked Ibanez to put a pair of runners on with one out. Mazzaro managed to escaped by striking out Justin Smoak and getting Michael Saunders to fly out. "Weve got to hit. Its time to hit," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "Youre not going to win games unless you hit. They got the two-out hit. We didnt. Game over. Thats the difference." Walker hit his sixth home run, connecting with two outs. Seattle managed to get a run back in the bottom half without a hit. Ibanez reached first after swinging at a third strike wild pitch that got away from catcher Russell Martin, then Smoak hit a grounder and Mercer mishandled the throw to second, the ball deflecting off the shortstops glove. Ibanez took advantage of the Pirates defensive shift and advanced to a vacated third base on the misplay. A sacrifice fly from Saunders made it 2-1. Jeanmar Gomez turned in a fine outing for the Pirates in his first start off the disabled list. He allowed just three hits and an unearned run in five innings with five strikeouts and threw the most pitches (81) of any outing this season. "He gave us the innings we needed and got to the part of the game were hoping to get to with the lead." Hurdle said. "He was effective again -- real nice job." Ibanez tagged Justin Wilson for his ninth home run in June. NOTES: Notes: The Pirates optioned RHP Duke Welker to Triple-A Indianapolis in order to activate Gomez from the 15-day disabled list. ... Alvarez extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Hes batting .390 with four doubles, five home runs and 13 RBIs over that span. ... Ibanez has just 12 hits against left-handed pitchers this season but six of the hits have been home runs. He is batting .214 with six home runs and 12 RBIs against lefties. ... Ibanez hit his ninth homer in June. 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