NFL analyst has Steelers emulating elite team in 2023
Parity is a consistent force in the NFL, so much so that around half the playoff teams from a given year fail to return the following season. This leads to a handful of clubs playing in January a year after starting vacation early. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been as consistent as possible in terms of […]
Parity is a consistent force in the NFL, so much so that around half the playoff teams from a given year fail to return the following season. This leads to a handful of clubs playing in January a year after starting vacation early.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been as consistent as possible in terms of winning, having not fallen below .500 in the Mike Tomlin era. But they missed the postseason last year being a playoff team in back-to-back years.
Sounds like a bounce back year is in order.
That's what Jamie Erdhal of Good Morning Football senses. Erdhal picked the Steelers as a team that "has the look" of last year's Philadelphia Eagles, a team that can make a deep playoff run after falling short the year prior.
"The team is good," Erdhal said of the Black and Yellow. "The division is challenging, but that doesn't mean if you can't clip off the Bengals once or twice, the Ravens once or twice, and the Browns that you wouldn't find yourself back in the playoffs like you rightfully so deserve to be."
The AFC North being such a competitive division is good and bad news for the Steelers' chances of going on an Eagles-like run this year. The division is projected to be as close as ever this year, but the Steelers have an advantage over at least two of their rivals.
Over the past two seasons, only the Steelers and Bengals have a positive record against AFC North opponents. Pittsburgh has won seven of its 12 divisional matchups, including three over Baltimore, who's just 4-9 in that same timeframe including its playoff loss to Cincinnati this past season.
For the Steelers to clinch a postseason appearance, getting through the AFC North gauntlet with their heads above water will be paramount. Splitting with the Bengals again, and continuing to stay atop the Ravens will get them in position to stay in the race.
