PITTSBURGH — Charlie Batch stood in the huddle, so intent on hearing Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians’ instructions through the speaker in his helmet the veteran backup quarterback couldn’t hear the Heinz Field crowd pay tribute during last week’s 27-0 romp over St. Louis.

It wasn’t until one of his teammates tapped Batch on the shoulder that the chants of “Char-lie! Char-lie” registered.

“People were telling me later they could hear it through their TV,” Batch said. “I was like, `really, OK, pretty good.”‘

Batch was his usual efficient, reliable self against the Rams, passing for 208 yards and showing there’s plenty of life left in his 37-year-old legs, extending several plays that turned into big gains as the Steelers (11-4) kept their hopes of an AFC North title alive.

The Pittsburgh native improved to 5-2 while subbing for starter Ben Roethlisberger through the years, earning praise from coach Mike Tomlin and turning Roethlisberger into one of the world’s tallest — and most handsomely paid — cheerleaders.

“For an old man ... making people miss in the pocket and doing some great things, I was really happy for him and happy for the team,” said Roethlisberger.

So good the Steelers might let Roethlisberger watch from the sideline again on Sunday when they close the regular season against woeful Cleveland (4-11). Pittsburgh can still win the AFC North with a victory and a loss by the Ravens in Cincinnati.

“Charlie likes to chuck it,” wide receiver Antonio Brown said. “You know he wants to get it out of there and let us go to work.”