Mike Tomlinhas never had a losing season during his 16-year career as a head coach with thePittsburgh Steelers. After a 2-6 start in 2022, that impressive streak was clearly in danger. Amid a quarterback controversy between Mitch Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett, this was supposed to be a year of transition.
Under head coach Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh haveonly won 3 of theirlast 11 playoff games and havea losing total record of 8-9 in the postseason. In the most worrisome stat for the Steelers, the team haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. Mike Tomlinwas hired in 2007 by theSteelers and the impact was immediate.
Pittsburghwon Super Bowl XLIII by beating the Arizona Cardinals in the 2008 NFL season and, only two years later, the team was really close to another championship after losing Super Bowl XLV against theGreen Bay Packersin Arlington. However, after Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement last season, everything changed and 2022 became a chaotic year.
Can the Pittsburgh Steelers still make the playoffs?
Believe it or not, the answer is yes. After four wins in their last five games, the PittsburghSteelersare back on track and, with a 7-8record, the postseason is still possible as Wild Card team. Let’s take a look at their remaining schedule and all the possible outcomes.
Pittsburgh will face Baltimore(Week 17) and the Cleveland Browns (Week 18). Only the Ravens have a winning record, but their star quarterbackLamar Jacksonis out (knee injury). However, Baltimore are still playing for the AFC North in a tremendous race with the Cincinnati Bengals.
So, if the Steelers take care of business with a Lamar-less Ravens, the gameat home against the Browns is clearly within reach. That would mean a 9-8record and maybe a ticket to the playoffs as a Wild Card team in the AFC. Pittsburgh would only need a Jets win against theMiami Dolphins on Week 18 to be in the postseason. Just incredible.