Anyone who thought Ben Roethlisberger should not be playing in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns doesn't understand the importance of being prepared for playoff football.

Having your star quarterback knocked out with a concussion is unfortunate, but hey, it's football. You take a risk anytime you go out there, but you can't think about getting injured.

With a bye already a given when the Steelers had sewn up the No. 2 seed a week earlier, the game plan was for Roethlisberger and other starters to play a half, then sit back and watch.

A best-case scenario was the Steelers would have lit up the Browns for three or four touchdowns before the break, then maybe get backup quarterback Byron Leftwich in there.

But the Steelers offense was sputtering at times and unable to score until Willie Parker broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run with 4:07 left before halftime.

That Leftwich added an 8-yard scoring run with 32 seconds left before the half gave the Steelers a two-touchdown lead. The defense was sharp, but two scores isn't a lock.

Psychologically, the Steelers still needed to win that game. After a disheartening loss in Tennessee that cost them a shot at the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the team needed to get a bit of its swagger back.

It was against the depleted Browns, but Pittsburgh needed some questions answered before it begins the playoffs: Can it run the ball more efficiently? Can it get more offensive consistency? Can the defense bounce back after allowing the Titans running attack a little success?

The fact is, the Steelers have the bye week to rest. That's what you strive for, to be one of four teams to watch everyone else and heal up.

The notion that you can sit all your starters for the final regular season week, then have a bye, then gear up for a playoff game is ludicrous.

Football is still a game of habit and consistency. Too much time off can be a bad thing.

Last year, the Steelers rested almost all their starters and lost to an easily beatable Baltimore Ravens team 27-21. When it came time for the playoffs the following week, the Steelers dropped a heartbreaking 31-29 decision to Jacksonville.

Players need to keep sharp and proficient. The Steelers can enter the postseason with a little more pep in their step and feeling a little better about themselves. That's huge.

The Titans decided to rest almost all their starters (LenDale White got seven carries), but they enter the playoffs knowing they were shut out 23-0 by Indianapolis. Their starters will be out of action for three weeks before their first playoff game.

Expect a rusty Titans team early in their game. Tennessee will be hoping it won't be costly.

Sunday wasn't the last pre-season game. It was the last regular-season game. There's a huge difference. The playoffs are for real and you better be ready. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin took the right approach. Time will tell if it mattered, but Pittsburgh will be ready from the opening whistle.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.