Leave it to the Pittsburgh Steelers to be disappointing. They have looked great lately, but when the lights are shining the brightest, they wilted away and got their lunch money stolen. It has unfortunately become Mike Tomlin’s reputation as of late. They get one more chance to make things right next week against the Baltimore Ravens, but the vibes are down among Steelers fans, and the guns are pointed at anyone associated with the team. They messed up.
In typical Tomlin fashion, Pittsburgh came out flat in a big game. Shedeur Sanders was dicing them on the first two drives of the game, scoring 10 points. It ended up being insurmountable for a Steelers offense that was firing on all cylinders for the past three weeks. D.K. Metcalf’s absence certainly hurts the offense, but failing to beat a three-win team with a division title on the line is inexcusable. There is no way to sugarcoat it.
Everyone expected the Steelers to win the game, and that’s when Tomlin falters. He wins games that he has no business being in, and he loses games that should be easy wins. It’s mind-boggling, but not surprising anymore. The Steelers are who they are under him, and it’s silly to expect anything else after all the times they have failed to put their stamp on a statement win. The standard might be in trouble in the Steel City
Week 17’s loss in Cleveland isn’t the end of the world, but it felt like it was. Now, the Steelers will welcome the Baltimore Ravens into Acrisure Stadium next Sunday for a loser-leaves-town match. The winner goes to the playoffs to likely get demolished and keep their questionable head coach, and the loser gets to go home and watch. It’s almost a lose-lose for everyone involved.
Luckily for the Steelers, the Ravens are 1-3 in their last four trips to the Steel City. Lamar Jackson is banged up with a back injury and whatever else has been hindering him this season. T.J. Watt has a chance to return if he can get back to full practices this week. Pittsburgh has owned Jackson for most of his career, but Pittsburgh has to hope Derrick Henry doesn’t end their season again. He did it last year, and he has another chance next week.
Losing to the Browns always hurts, but it stings worse when a playoff spot and division title are on the line. It has been an odd season for the Steelers, but they can make it right by winning in Week 18 and winning a playoff game or two. This could be it for future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, and it would feel wrong to send him on his way without giving him a chance in the playoffs. They need a great game from him in Week 18 with limited resources.
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