The Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl wins by an NFL franchise. That’s why their standard every year is to compete for a championship. However, they haven’t come close to that goal in a while. The Steelers haven’t even won a playoff game since the 2016 season. They could change that this year, though. The Steelers are in first place in the AFC North with the postseason almost here. Analyst Nick Wright believes this has to be the year that the Steelers change their playoff fortunes.
“A literal must-win in Week 1 of the playoffs because it’s the playoffs, single elimination,” Wright said recently on FS1’s First Things First. “But more than that, also a literal must-win because those two teams [Steelers and Chargers] more than any other team in this tournament can’t afford to be one and done again.
“For the Steelers, it would continue this unbelievable streak for Mike Tomlin of making the playoffs and not winning a playoff game. More than any teams in the league, if and when they get into the playoffs, they have to find a way into Round 2.”
The Steelers are well aware of their postseason failures. Tomlin has often said that he totes that baggage, that the players don’t bear that burden. Meanwhile, players like T.J. Watt, who has never won a playoff game, are singularly focused on getting the team over that hump.
The team made several moves this offseason to help it make a playoff push, too. That included trading for Jalen Ramsey and DK Metcalf and signing Aaron Rodgers. While this season has been very up and down, those players are finally starting to hit their stride in Pittsburgh. The connection between Rodgers and Metcalf is starting to heat up.
That’s helped the Steelers win their last two games, putting them in first place in their division. However, they haven’t secured a playoff spot yet. The Baltimore Ravens could still win the AFC North, which would likely knock the Steelers out of the playoffs.
It’s unclear what the Steelers’ next step would be if they once again fail to win a playoff game. That would surely make this season another disappointment. Despite that, Tomlin’s job probably wouldn’t be in danger. Would the Steelers make other changes, potentially at either of their coordinator spots? That would feel more likely, although not guaranteed.
The Steelers have to hold onto the AFC North crown before they worry about the playoffs, though. Going one and done again is a bridge they’ll cross if they come to it. Hopefully, they won’t have to worry about that.
