Statistically, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't have a lot of hope going into Week 12's matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football. Before Week 12, Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been 2-8 in Thursday night road games during his 18 seasons on the job. Thursday night games do bring short weeks to players and it was going to be tough for the Steelers as they had just played a tough game in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh and Tomlin did add onto the poor Thursday Night Football record, going to 2-9 and 0-6 in divisional road games under Tomlin.
After beating a red-hot Ravens team, Steeler Nation thought good about their team and how they proved themselves to be top contenders in the AFC. Tomlin his known for his "trap games," but things looked different this season despite the Steelers' Thursday night record. However, the possibility of a trap game was becoming more clear as the Steelers got off to a slow start on offense. Steelers fans didn't want to see another Chris Boswell game, touchdowns were needed in order to continue the win streak. Both sides of the ball for Pittsburgh created a spark in the fourth quarter. The defense forced two turnovers which allowed the offense to score two touchdowns and take a 19-18 lead. However, after some questionable decisions by Tomlin and the defense not being able to close it out, the Browns won 24-19.
America media personality Colin Cowherd talked about Tomlin on his show The Herd with Colin Cowherd Friday and aired out Steelers fans frustrations with Tomlin.
In Week 5, the Steelers lost to the Dallas Cowboys in a heartbreaker. Looking at Dallas' team now, fans wonder how the Steelers ever lost that game as the Cowboys are currently 3-7. Then Pittsburgh takes on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens and completely shuts them down in Week 11. On paper, the Steelers should win against a 2-8 Cleveland team, but no.
"Tomlin has always been known as more motivator than innovator. And that's always been his thing, and this team - the Steelers - in Tomlin's era have always had a very very high floor, but a lower ceiling," Cowherd said on his show. "I mean h***, they lost to the Cowboys this year and yet they beat the Ravens and yet they lose to the Browns. And that's what they've been and this is what drives Pittsburgh Steelers fans crazy."
Tomlin is known for never having a losing season, which is a great record considering some of the players he's had to coach. However, the Steelers are always just there at being good, but can never get past that. In the past 10 s
Cowherd contrasted Tomlin's ceiling for his team versus Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid's ceiling. The Chiefs have obviously been the team to beat the past few seasons as they look to get their third straight Super Bowl this season. It has been a very long time since the Steelers could even imagine being in that position. The Chiefs travel to Pittsburgh on Christmas Day in Week 17, so Tomlin has a chance to beat one of the best teams in the NFL and prove doubters wrong.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Made Some Interesting Calls In Week 12
After the Steelers' loss to the Browns in Week 12, fans started questioning some of the decisions made my Tomlin during the game. Tomlin called a questionable timeout that was definitely needed later on in the game during the third quarter. It was 4th and 1 and it looked like Tomlin was questioning whether to go for it or not when he took the timeout. This timeout could've easily been avoided and used when it was necessary.
Another decision Tomlin is taking heat for is putting in Justin Fields on a crucial 3rd and 4 play in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Fields came in a couple of times during the game, but didn't make a huge difference besides his 30-yard run in the fourth quarter. Fields on the play to win the game potentially threw a deep ball to George Pickens. Whether it was Tomlin, Fields, or Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith's fault, that's a play Russell Wilson needs to be in for. If you're throwing a deep shot, Wilson needs to be in for that as he was hitting guys down the field even in the heavy snow.
The Steelers and Tomlin will have an extended rest before taking on another AFC North foe when they go face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.
