Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers may be a playoff-bound squad, but their recent struggles have warranted debates about the team’s true potential.
The Steelers, currently sitting at 10-6, clinched a playoff berth despite stumbling late in the season. Losses to the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs have raised serious questions about their readiness for postseason play.
Mike Tannenbaum Hails Mike Tomlin’s Grind for the Steelers
The Steelers are on a three-game losing streak that has exposed major flaws on both sides of the ball. Former Dolphins GM Mike Tannenbaum gave his take on ESPN’s ‘Get Up,’ saying, “To me, when you look at the word value and coaching, if you take Mike Tomlin out of Pittsburgh, they’re a 2-3 win team.”
Tannenbaum’s statement tells the story of how much the Steelers owe to their head coach’s steady hand during a rollercoaster season. The former Dolphins GM further said, “Look at that roster when you look at 1-53. So to me, you may not be happy with him, but I would always say running a team, who are you gonna get that’s gonna be better? I’m hard pressed to think that there’s someone better than Mike Tomlin for the Steelers.”
The defense, once Pittsburgh’s calling card, has allowed an average of 402.0 yards per game during this lean period. Meanwhile, the Russell Wilson-led offense hasn’t cracked 20 points in four straight contests.
The Steelers faithful, who were once celebrating reaching the playoffs, are now wondering whether this team can survive the heat of postseason.
Tomlin’s squad will be up against the Cincinnati Bengals for their Week 18 matchup. In his press conference, the Steelers HC said, “We got to get the stench of the last few performances off of us, and there’s no better way to do that than a home divisional win versus a formidable group going into the tournament, and so that’s our mentality as we stand here today.”
'We're a motivated group. We've got to get the stench of the last few performances off of us. There's no better way to do that than a home divisional win versus a formidable group going into the tournament. That's our mentality.' – Coach Mike Tomlin
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— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) December 30, 2024
The Steelers’ roster has its bright spots, but injuries, inconsistent offensive-line play, and busted defensive coverages have plagued the team in recent weeks. The Christmas Day loss to the Kansas City Chiefs even led to finger-pointing on defense, hinting at communication issues.
Wilson’s performance is also one of the root causes of the Steelers’ inconsistency. At 36, the Steelers’ QB has shown flashes of brilliance but cannot maintain momentum behind a shaky offensive line.
Center Zach Frazier and guard Isaac Seumalo have provided stability, but the line’s overall performance leaves much to be desired. Fixing these issues is crucial for Tomlin if Pittsburgh hopes to salvage playoff aspirations.
Tomlin’s 17-year tenure has been defined by resilience, and the Steelers will need every ounce of that grit to right the ship. The defense, which thrives on low-scoring, opportunistic play, must return to form. Week 18 results will determine whether the Steelers will face the Chargers, Texans, or Ravens in the Wild Card round.