The Pittsburgh Steelers have been incredibly consistent during Mike Tomlin’s tenure as head coach. While there hasn’t been as much playoff success as anyone would hope for, as the team hasn’t won a postseason game since the 2016 season, they have been competitive under him every season.
Tomlin has started his career with an NFL record 17 consecutive seasons without being under .500. There were three 8-8 seasons mixed in as he consistently gets the most out of his teams even when they don’t have the strongest roster.
Entering the 2024 season, Pittsburgh looks to be improved in several areas. The offensive line is better, which should help lead to more production.
The quarterback position was overhauled with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields being added following the purge of Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. Only one question remains offensively; who will emerge as the team’s No. 2 receiver behind George Pickens?
Defensively, the Steelers remain one of the best units in football. They are loaded with All-Pro talent and got even better in the offseason with the signing of linebacker Patrick Queen, poaching him from the rival Baltimore Ravens.
Alas, their schedule will be daunting this season. For the first time in a long time, Tomlin’s record looks to be in legitimate peril.
One of the people who believe that it will be coming to an end is Dan Pizzuta of The 33rd Team. Pizzuta made over/under predictions for every team entering the 2024 season and he believes the Steelers are going under 8.5 wins, snapping Tomlin’s streak.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers have two flawed quarterbacks who don’t see the middle of the field well and finished 22nd and 23rd in EPA per play last season. George Pickens is the only plus receiver to go along with Pat Frieimuth, so there won’t be a lot of help in the receiving room.
The defense would have to do a lot of heavy lifting. Pittsburgh finished eighth in EPA per play on defense last season but might have to push it to a top-five unit for this to go over,” Pizzuta wrote.
Betting against a Tomlin-led squad certainly isn’t an easy thing to do, but there is a lot stacking up against Pittsburgh heading into the 2024 campaign. While Pizzuta selected the under for the piece, I don’t think it would shock anyone if Tomlin was able to will his team to at least nine wins and be right in the thick of the playoff race again.
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