The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in a rut to end the 2024 regular season. The team has lost four games in a row and is really struggling as it prepares for the postseason. The fanbase is desperate for a playoff victory, which it hasn't seen since the 2016 season. It will be difficult for Pittsburgh to win in the playoffs while riding a four-game losing streak, but if there is any team that could find success in this situation is it is one that is coached by Mike Tomlin.
A major issue plaguing the Steelers over the first three games of their losing streak was the defense. Pittsburgh rosters the highest-paid defense in the league, and the group simply wasn't playing like it. It was playing like one of the worst defenses in the NFL, although Pittsburgh was playing some top-tier offenses.
There seemed to be serious communication issues on the defense throughout that period of time, and Cam Heyward was asked if those issues were fixed following the loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night.
"Yeah, I thought, from a communication standpoint on defense, a lot of guys took ownership over it, and over-communicate with that." Heyward said. "Week in and week out, you're gonna be tested. Different things happen, but I like how, as things progressed in the game, we adjust, we correct. You're not always gonna be perfect, but I thought we made some adjustments."
The Bengals received the opening kickoff in the game, and Joe Burrow and the Bengals' offense destroyed the Steelers immediately. Burrow completed his first 12 passes of the game, and Cincinnati's opening drive looked like the offense was just warming up. It looked like routes-on-air. The defense for Pittsburgh was lost, but the group eventually got back on track as they didn't allow the Bengals to find the end zone again.
The Bengals scored a touchdown on their opening drive, but Pittsburgh's defense held them to just four field goals throughout the rest of the game. Many of those field goals came after the Steelers turned the ball over or the offense stalled out and set the Bengals up with good field position. The defense still stood on their heels and kept Cincinnati out of the end zone.
The defense played remarkably considering they were going against one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. Burrow has arguably been the best quarterback in the league during the 2024 season and Ja'Marr Chase has been the best wide receiver in the league by far. Pittsburgh's pass rush was able to disrupt Burrow throughout the game, aside from the first drive. This is pivotal to the defense's success, so hopefully this trend continues as Pittsburgh prepares for its playoff game.
Steelers Must Win In The Playoffs For Their Veterans
Surprisingly, a player like TJ Watt has never won a playoff game in his career. This is a true blemish on his resume although he has been one of the most dominant players in the NFL since being drafted. Tomlin has been heavily criticized for wasting talent throughout the 2010s like Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, and unfortunately it seems like the same thing is happening on defense with Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Defensively, Pittsburgh took a step in the right direction on Saturday night despite the loss. The group has fixed their communication issues according to Heyward, which means they should be able to excel in the postseason against some of the top-level competition. If the offense can get back on track as well, Pittsburgh may be a team to look out for in the playoffs.
