As the 2024 NFL season progresses, the Pittsburgh Steelers, traditionally known for their strong defense and winning culture, find themselves in a surprising and uncomfortable position. With the AFC playoff race tightening and teams fighting for wild card spots, the Steelers have encountered a series of challenges that have placed them in a less-than-ideal spot. They share a disappointing similarity with the bottom two teams in the AFC, which could have significant ramifications for their playoff aspirations and future outlook.
This article delves into the key factors that have led to the Steelers’ struggles, comparing them with the bottom two teams in the AFC, and examining what needs to change if Pittsburgh hopes to avoid a full-fledged decline.
1. Offensive Struggles: A Lack of Consistency
One of the most glaring issues facing the Pittsburgh Steelers this season is their offensive inconsistency. Despite having talent at key positions, including a solid receiving corps and a veteran quarterback in Kenny Pickett, the Steelers have failed to establish a rhythm on offense. The team’s inability to sustain drives, convert on third downs, and generate consistent points has put enormous pressure on their defense.
While the Steelers have seen flashes of offensive brilliance, including some big plays from Pickett and his top receivers, they have been too inconsistent to truly be a threat. This struggle is mirrored by the bottom two AFC teams, who also share similar offensive deficiencies. Both teams, like the Steelers, have failed to find a stable offensive identity, leading to poor performance in critical moments. Whether it’s inefficient play-calling, injuries, or a lack of chemistry, the inability to perform at a high level offensively has left these teams fighting for relevance in a competitive conference.
For Pittsburgh, the question remains whether offensive coordinator Matt Canada can fix the issues and help the team turn things around. Until that happens, the Steelers’ playoff chances will remain uncertain.
2. Struggles in the Quarterback Position
At the heart of every offense is the quarterback, and the struggles that the Steelers have faced under center are reflective of their position in the standings. Kenny Pickett, the Steelers’ young quarterback, has shown potential but has also struggled with consistency, accuracy, and decision-making at times. His development as a starting quarterback in the NFL has been slower than expected, and it has been evident that his inexperience in high-pressure situations has contributed to the Steelers’ lackluster offensive showings.
This issue of quarterback inconsistency is not exclusive to Pittsburgh, as the two bottom teams in the AFC have had similar struggles at the quarterback position. One of the most critical lessons that can be drawn from these teams’ failures is the importance of solid quarterback play. Without a steady presence under center, a team’s offensive unit is bound to falter. Pittsburgh’s challenge will be to give Pickett the time and support he needs to develop into the leader they hope for him to become. If not, the Steelers could be locked into a cycle of quarterback instability, much like their counterparts at the bottom of the AFC.
3. Inability to Close Out Games
A consistent theme for the Steelers in 2024 has been their inability to finish games. Whether it’s a fourth-quarter collapse, missed opportunities in crunch-time situations, or an inability to capitalize on key moments, Pittsburgh has too often been on the wrong end of tight contests. The team has shown that they can hang with top-tier teams, but their inability to close out games has become a defining characteristic of their play this season.
This lack of late-game execution is a shared trait with the bottom two AFC teams, who have also seen their chances slip away in the final moments of games. Whether it’s poor coaching decisions, missed field goals, or turnovers in critical situations, these teams have not been able to put together the plays necessary to secure victories in tight matchups. For the Steelers, this failure to perform under pressure is particularly concerning, as it reflects deeper issues in their execution and mental toughness.
As the Steelers push forward in the season, they’ll need to find ways to execute in the fourth quarter, avoid mistakes, and maintain focus throughout the game. A strong finish to the season is key if they want to avoid being lumped in with the AFC’s bottom dwellers.
4. Special Teams and Coaching Woes
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been known for their dominant defense and special teams play, but this season has seen both areas slip up. Poor special teams play, including missed field goals and long punt returns, has compounded the team’s woes. In many ways, the Steelers’ special teams have been an Achilles’ heel that has cost them dearly in close games. While this hasn’t been the primary cause of their struggles, it has certainly not helped their cause.
The bottom two AFC teams also share a commonality in that they’ve experienced significant issues on special teams. Whether it’s poor coverage units, missed kicks, or failed return opportunities, these teams have seen their field position and scoring chances severely limited. Special teams are often an overlooked aspect of a team’s success, but their impact is undeniable, especially when it comes to close games.
Additionally, coaching has been a point of discussion for the Steelers. Head coach Mike Tomlin has been praised for his leadership and resilience over the years, but there are moments in the 2024 season where his team’s inability to adjust or execute certain game plans has been apparent. This problem also aligns with the bottom teams in the AFC, who have struggled with coaching decisions, preparation, and game-time adjustments.
5. Defensive Inconsistencies
Historically, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been known for their elite defense, but in 2024, they have had their fair share of struggles on this side of the ball. While they still boast one of the league’s most talented defensive units, including players like T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, inconsistency in coverage, missed tackles, and an inability to stop the run have plagued them at times.
Defensive issues are also a common thread among the bottom two AFC teams. Poor defensive play has allowed offenses to exploit weaknesses, resulting in high-scoring games that these teams have struggled to win. Whether it’s defensive breakdowns in key moments or a lack of depth and talent in certain areas, both the Steelers and the AFC’s worst teams have faced similar challenges when it comes to defensive performance.
Pittsburgh’s defense has the talent to be among the league’s best, but their inability to consistently execute and maintain discipline is costing them. Improving defensive consistency will be key to their hopes of turning the season around.
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Steelers, traditionally one of the most successful franchises in the NFL, have found themselves sharing some disappointing similarities with the bottom two AFC teams in 2024. Offensive inconsistency, struggles at the quarterback position, inability to close out games, special teams woes, and defensive lapses have all contributed to their disappointing season thus far.
While the Steelers still have time to course-correct and salvage their playoff hopes, these issues must be addressed quickly if they are to avoid falling further behind in the playoff race. Pittsburgh’s strong tradition and commitment to winning culture mean that they will likely be able to bounce back from this season’s setbacks, but without improvement in these key areas, they risk being part of a growing trend of underperforming teams in the AFC.