The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Cleveland Browns by a score of 24-19 to snap their five-game win streak. Throughout those matchups, things seemed to be different. They were getting more consistent play quarterback play from Russell Wilson in his first games with the team, which seemed to make everyone around him even better. Instead, the loss on Thursday Night Football showed that they are still the same old Steelers: being unprepared, relying on the elite defense to do everything, and letting a two-win team have their way for a majority of the game.
While appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, Ross Tucker was asked if that loss changed the perspective of the Steelers. He said no and explained that they have never been Super Bowl contenders.
"I think this is who they are, which is why I have a really tough time picturing them winning three playoff games to get to the Super Bowl... this is uncanny, this team's ability to win one-score games. The problem is you get to the playoffs; you're going to be going up against Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, obviously [Patrick] Mahomes. Russell Wilson is not at that level."
Wilson's first game as a Steeler was a blowout of the New York Jets on prime time. After that, it has been all one-score games, but two of those games featured the offense making up for their defense, as they didn't have their best stretch. Wilson even won a shootout with the Washington Commanders thanks to a 32-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately, that is not a recipe for long-term success. If you want to be a true contender, you need the offense and the defense to both be on point throughout the season. You especially need that when you go up against the elite of the elite in consecutive games.
Tucker continues with that thought, saying they don't have the firepower necessary to compete with all these top teams and high-end quarterbacks.
"Do I think the Steelers can win one [playoff game]? Yeah, they can win one of those games. Do I think they're going to win three games like that in a row? Absolutely not. That would really surprise me because they don't blow anybody out. It's all one-score games, and they have the lesser quarterback in three straight one-score games if they can even make it a one-score game late."
This has been a constant theme of the Steelers in recent years. Steeler Nation keeps arguing on what "good enough" is. While they have consistently been on the positive end of these one-score games, is it good enough when they can't win a playoff game? Even if they do win a single contest in January, would that be enough? Is it Super Bowl or bust?
That style of play has worked to get them a .500 or winning record each year under Tomlin, along with the occasional playoff berth. However, it should not be good enough. Losses like the one to the Browns keep them from getting a high seed, which usually results in them getting annihilated in the playoffs by a real contender in the first round.
Steelers Are Not An AFC Contender Until They Prove Otherwise Despite Already Beating Chargers And Ravens
Since they lost Super Bowl XLV, the Steelers have won just three playoff games. Two of them were against backup quarterbacks with questionable coaches, and the other was against quarterback Alex Smith.
As harsh as it is, Tucker is right. The Steelers have consistently been a good team in the regular season, but have been arguably the worst playoff team over the last seven seasons. This is who they are, and the loss to the Browns proves that nothing has changed.
