Given their recent level of play, you might not even remember that the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the AFC-leading New England Patriots on the road back in Week 3. Things were much simpler at that time, and the Steelers would eventually peak at a 4-1 record early on. However, a 2-5 record since has put some serious doubts on how the stretch run plays out.
The latest hiccup was Sunday’s 26-7 loss at home to the Buffalo Bills, who rushed for 249 yards in the game; that total was the most a Steelers team has allowed in 50 years, and it was also against the Bills. QB Aaron Rodgers was not happy about the loss and even called out TE Jonnu Smith specifically.
Luckily for Pittsburgh, it plays in the AFC North, where a 6-6 record is good enough for a first-place deadlock with the Baltimore Ravens, whom they haven’t played yet. Well, look at the NFL schedule makers coming through for us again, as these teams will play on Sunday in Baltimore.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what has gone wrong at key moments in the Steelers’ season, and if there are some spots to make up some ground.
What’s the Latest on the Aaron Rodgers Injury?
Aaron Rodgers was already going into Sunday’s loss to the Bills with three different broken bones in his left wrist, and he didn’t come out any healthier. On the first play of the second half, Rodgers was strip-sacked from behind, and the ball went right into Buffalo’s hands, which was then taken to the end zone for a defensive touchdown.
On the play, Rodgers went face-first into the ground and which caused a bloody nose, in addition to landing hard on the already-injured hand. Rodgers would not return to the game, but it appears that he won’t miss any additional time from reaggravating the injury.
Who do the Pittsburgh Steelers Play Going Forward?
The Steelers have quite the tough road ahead, and it all gets started on the road this Sunday when they face the Baltimore Ravens. That game will be followed by a Monday Night Football matchup at home against the Miami Dolphins. In Week 16, the Steelers will play their final non-division game of the season against the Detroit Lions on the road.
For the last two games of the season, the Steelers will travel to face the Cleveland Browns before hosting the Ravens in the final week of the regular season.
All of this amounts to Pittsburgh having the 10th-toughest remaining schedule in the NFL.
What are the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Odds Against the Baltimore Ravens?
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 5.5-point underdogs against the Baltimore Ravens for Sunday’s game. As for who will win the AFC North, the Ravens are the favorite at -250, while the Steelers are far behind at +310.
The Steelers have a 29% chance to make the postseason, down from the 39% before the loss against the Bills.
Is Mike Tomlin on the Hot Seat?
Yes, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is absolutely on the hot seat. It should be noted that Tomlin has never had a season finishing below .500, but the expectations in Pittsburgh are not the same as in other NFL cities.
Tomlin has a record of 189-113-2 as the Steelers head coach, with a Super Bowl title (2008) and AFC Championship (2010) on his resume. Obviously, those accomplishments happened a long time ago, and that’s why the pressure has been on Tomlin for the last few seasons.
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