There are no easy opponents in the National Football League. The numbers say differently the rest of the way for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It’s been more than a week since a few of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns participated in their own WWE match.
All kidding aside, it was the last time we saw Mike Tomlin’s team and that evening resulted in a 21-7 road loss. The setback snapped the team’s four-game winning streak and dropped their record to 5-5 this season.
Of course, while being three games behind the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North is hardly ideal, the club is still very much in the conference playoff picture. The Colts’ 20-17 loss at Houston on Thursday evening helped the Black and Gold’s cause. And who knows what will happen by the time Week 12 concludes Monday night in Los Angeles.
In the meantime, the Steelers have six more games on their schedule – including three vs. their division rivals. And by the numbers, it’s a less-than-intimidating slate. Tomlin’s club has made a habit out of defeating the team with subpar records this season and along way also knocked off the aforementioned 6-5 Colts and 6-4 Los Angeles Rams.
As for those final six games, it starts this Sunday with a trip to Cincinnati and is followed by a rematch with Browns at Heinz Field. The Bengals are in the midst of a forgettable season and their 0-10 start matches the worst in the franchise’s 52-year history. And including that wild 18-16 playoff loss four years ago, the Steelers have handed the team from the Queen City nine straight losses. And that also includes a 27-3 setback back in Week 4 this season on a Monday night in the Steel City.
Next up is a rematch with the Browns that figures to be…interesting. Cleveland will be looking for its first sweep in the series since 1988. The Steelers will also look to hand their longtime division rival their 16th straight loss at Heinz Field. The Browns last won at Pittsburgh in 2003, four years before the Tomlin Era began with the franchise.
It is then off to Arizona for a tilt with rookie quarterback Kyler Murray and the improved Cardinals. It will be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Keith Butler handles Arizona’s attack. Of course, Steelers’ quarterback Mason Rudolph may be looking forward to taking on a Cardinals’ defense that entered Week 12 with the worst pass defense in the NFL and a club that had allowed a league-high 29 scores through the air.
It’s back to the ‘Burgh for a clash with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. For what it’s worth, the Steelers have won the last six meetings between the clubs dating back to 2001, the latest victory a 27-20 snowy triumph three years ago at Orchard Park. And also for what it’s worth, the Bills have dropped their last six games in Pittsburgh dating way back to 1993 – head coach Bill Cowher’s second year with the franchise.
The Steelers hit the road for the final two weeks of ’19. First, it’s a reunion of sorts with Le’Veon Bell as Tomlin’s team collides with the New York Jets. The following Sunday (and who knows what time the game will be played) is a rematch with the Ravens, whom the Steelers lost to in overtime, 26-23, back in Week 5 at Pittsburgh.
Of course, even though the Bengals are still looking for their first win this season, Tomlin’s squad is somewhat shorthanded. Running back James Conner and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster won’t play due to injuries and enter standout center Maurkice Pouncey will be serving the first installment of his two-game suspension. It was reduced from three games this week and he will be sorely missed vs. Cincinnati and Cleveland.
The bottom line is that Tomlin’s injury-riddled club, most notably on the offensive side or the ball, has to play four of its final six games away from home. That can take a toll on even the most talented of clubs and right now, the Steelers are missing plenty of key pieces. But in the very-muddled AFC, there’s still a chance of the Black and Gold can take of the business expected of them.
If the team can return to their opportunistic ways down the stretch (the Steelers did not force a turnover in the Thursday night loss to the Browns), that could help the team immeasurably as it looks to make a strong postseason run. Tomlin and company may even be able to stub its toes once in the final six weeks. Yes, the schedule hardly looks daunting. But many aspects of these current Steelers aren’t frightening too many opponents as well.