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PITTSBURGH — The festive decorations outside Acrisure Stadium were reminiscent of Christmas, yet the performance of the Steelers on the field felt more like a scene from “Groundhog Day.”
It’s not that the Pittsburgh Steelers are literally reliving the same day, or in this case, the same season. Rather, their attempts to change course have continually led them back to the same disappointing place.
They may be competitive, but being viewed as a true contender feels doubtful.
After making several bold moves—especially offensively—that strayed from their traditional approach during the offseason, the team finds itself in a familiar predicament following a 29-10 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs: a likely first-round playoff trip on the road, where they could enter as heavy underdogs.
While the Steelers (10-6) still have some time to turn their fortunes around before the playoffs commence in January, that window is closing quickly.
Fans and analysts alike are becoming increasingly frustrated with the team’s status of being “good but hardly great” for an extended period.
After the game, outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, who has yet to win a playoff game since being drafted in 2020, expressed concerns about whether the team has enough desire and commitment.
Safety DeShon Elliott highlighted ongoing communication issues that are tolerable early in the season but unacceptable at this late stage.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin characterized the team’s performance against the Chiefs as “junior varsity,” which may be an understatement.
The offense undeniably has issues, but the nightmare has intensified for a once-dominant defense that is now the highest-paid in the NFL.
During their current three-game losing streak, Pittsburgh has allowed an average of 402 yards per game, signaling a downward trend from the optimism that enveloped the team after Thanksgiving.
While Kansas City appeared fresh during their grueling 11-day stretch, the Steelers seemed to fade, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes maneuvering effortlessly against them, resulting in zero sacks and no turnovers.
There were opportunities for the Steelers to make pivotal plays, like when linebacker Mark Robinson forced a fumble on a punt return, only for a Kansas City player to recover it.
Moreover, linebacker Patrick Queen let a potential interception slip through his fingers while in the Chiefs’ territory.
Earlier in the season, these kinds of opportunities translated into turnovers and stops. However, it’s crucial to note that the teams faced earlier were not as formidable as the current competition, including Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the two-time defending champions.
The Steelers anticipated a tougher journey when the season schedule came out, yet understanding the challenge and responding to it are two drastically different things.
Like Phil Connors in “Groundhog Day,” the team must navigate these challenges quickly, especially if it wants to avoid another rapid playoff exit, which could mark the fourth in just five years.
With just over two weeks to regroup, the time is ticking down, leaving the team in an anxious state as they face a familiar and frustrating situation.
Identifying what works has proven difficult lately. One silver lining was the performance of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who managed to scramble effectively, achieving a season-high 55 rushing yards—a feat not seen since September 2023.
However, the challenges persist, particularly with a youthful offensive line that has shown signs of fatigue as the season progresses.
During the game, the Chiefs recorded five sacks against Wilson, some due to his hesitancy in making plays—even in the absence of Pro Bowl defensive end Chris Jones due to an injury.
The Steelers aspire to be a physically dominant team, but that hasn’t materialized during their current struggles, as opponents have dictated the game. Reversing this trend so late in the season will undoubtedly be a challenge.
On a positive note, running back Jaylen Warren is emerging as a more electrifying option, accumulating 37 touches for 212 yards in contrast to Najee Harris’ 31 touches for only 144 yards.
With Harris potentially becoming a free agent in March after the team opted not to pick up his fifth-year option, it’s looking more likely that his future may lie elsewhere.
On the downside, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has come under scrutiny for his play-calling decisions. His balanced approach to involving a variety of players can benefit the team mid-season but tends to lack focus toward the end.
For instance, running a play for the aging Cordarrelle Patterson on a critical third-and-3 did not seem like a wise strategy late in the first half.
Surprisingly, one of the most troubling aspects of Pittsburgh’s decline is their overall health; most starters were active during the loss to Kansas City, aside from cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who was sidelined due to a knee injury.
A key stat that stands out is zero— the number of opening-drive touchdowns the Steelers have scored this season.
For a team that struggles to “jumpstart” as Tomlin puts it, falling behind early against top-quality opposition is not conducive to success in the playoffs.
As they prepare for a showdown against rival Cincinnati on the first weekend of January, the Steelers must focus on recuperating and rediscovering their competitive edge.
The clock is ticking, and the stakes are higher than ever.
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