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PITTSBURGH — Over a span of 11 days, the Pittsburgh Steelers confronted three teams with Super Bowl aspirations, challenging the notion that they belong among the elite. Unfortunately for the Steelers, each encounter resulted in a clear defeat, with the latest blow coming on Christmas Day in a 29-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. This outcome highlighted the contrasting trajectories of both teams.
The Chiefs, who have experienced both struggles and victories on their way to a potential third consecutive championship, quickly established control by scoring two early touchdowns. They capitalized on key turnovers, recorded five sacks, and maintained their lead until the end.
On the other hand, the Steelers (10-6) felt the frustration of a team struggling to perform at its best. Coach Mike Tomlin described the experience as “running on the beach.” The defense found it nearly impossible to contain quarterback Patrick Mahomes, while the offense grappled with protecting Russell Wilson and establishing any consistent rhythm, despite the return of wide receiver George Pickens, who had been sidelined for three games due to a hamstring issue.
The Steelers left the field needing answers, and it seems unlikely that those solutions will emerge in time for a meaningful playoff push. “We just need to continue to find ways to get better,” remarked outside linebacker T.J. Watt, acknowledging that the margin for error has diminished as the season progresses.
Currently, the Steelers are struggling, having lost three consecutive games that have eroded their hold on the AFC North. In contrast, Kansas City appears to be regaining its momentum. The Steelers have strayed from the strong identity they cultivated during the initial months of the season, and this game exemplified that shift. Despite being the NFL’s leader in turnovers, the Steelers failed to secure any during the match. Wilson’s error, a pass thrown into triple coverage intended for a touchdown, effectively killed a scoring opportunity, and the defense could not manage to sack Mahomes even once.
“You can’t afford to give them points and let them operate freely in the pocket,” Watt expressed. “We lacked success today.” With each passing game in this losing streak, the Steelers find themselves increasingly pressed to regain their confidence as they try to navigate toward the postseason, which they secured weeks earlier. Their hopes of making a playoff run for the first time since 2016 have dimmed significantly, as they have been outscored on average by 16 points during this difficult stretch.
“The bottom line is the second unit isn’t performing well, and we must acknowledge that,” Tomlin stated. As they prepare for their final regular-season match against Cincinnati, the Steelers will have a brief respite. The way they respond over the forthcoming ten days will be crucial.
“We must maintain our belief,” Wilson insisted. “If anything, we need to elevate our confidence.” The focus must also include learning to avoid the self-inflicted mistakes that have plagued them during this tough phase of Tomlin’s long-time coaching career.
A telling moment occurred late in the first quarter and illustrated their struggles. After a promising drive down 13-0, Wilson led the team 69 yards downfield in three quick plays, culminating in what appeared to be an 8-yard touchdown run by Jaylen Warren. However, a holding penalty against tight end Darnell Washington nullified the score.
On the subsequent play, Wilson attempted to make a risky pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth, only for Kansas City’s Justin Reid to intercept it. “It’s my fault,” Wilson acknowledged. “I wanted to give Pat a chance; he has a strong track record in the red zone, but they made a great play.” Although the Steelers managed to narrow the gap to 13-7 at halftime, their defense quickly faltered, allowing Kansas City to score on its first three possessions of the second half. The Chiefs added two touchdowns in just over two minutes at the start of the fourth quarter to secure the win.
As one team celebrated clinching home-field advantage for the playoffs, the Steelers were left to ponder their declining chances of claiming the AFC North title. A season that once held great promise now appears to be heading toward the familiar scenario of a swift playoff disappointment. “Ultimately, we’re not executing well enough,” Tomlin concluded. “My primary concern is less about controlling the division and more about the quality of our performance at this moment.”
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