PITTSBURGH — The iconic rock anthem “Renegade” by Styx has been a longstanding tradition at Acrisure Stadium for two decades.
The familiar opening establishes a captivating atmosphere; the screen dims to black, the stadium quiets, and lead vocalist Tommy Shaw breathes into the mic, “Oh Mama, I’m in fear for my life from the long arm of the law.”
This leads into an explosive tribute featuring highlight reels of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense taking down their opponents, perfectly synced with the track’s legendary drum rhythm.
The intention behind this arrangement is to incite intimidation. However, at this point in time, that motivation feels somewhat diminished.
In fact, the lyrics detailing a criminal facing impending execution parallel the current struggles of a Steelers team whose once-promising season is running down to its final moments.
Just a month prior, the Steelers were comfortably positioned in the AFC North and had a viable shot at securing one of the conference’s top two playoff seeds.
Now, with a record of 10-7, they are set to face a first-round playoff game in Baltimore, entering it on a four-game losing streak that raises doubts about their abilities to break a postseason winning drought that dates back to 2016.
The defense, once adept at forcing turnovers, has faltered in that regard, and the offense, which had been steadily improving, has now regressed.
The bright outlook that once pervaded has diminished considerably.
Coach Mike Tomlin is striving to maintain a positive demeanor, a necessity given the circumstances.
“We’re a mentally tough group,” stated Tomlin. “It’s important to learn from these challenges and remember the source of our previous successes. There’s nothing mystical about it.”
What is striking about this downturn is that the Steelers are not self-sabotaging; they are simply getting outplayed.
They have not led at any point in a game since clinching a victory over Cleveland on December 8 and have often seemed inferior against playoff-caliber teams like Philadelphia, Baltimore, Kansas City, and Cincinnati, which have dominated the postseason scene throughout the past decade.
The Steelers, who have also been playoff participants in four out of the last five years, find themselves in a frustrating cycle.
In their last three postseason appearances, they experienced early exits, each concluded with substantial defeat.
The franchise has spent the past 11 months making adjustments aimed at breaking this pattern, yet it appears that the team is more stagnant than progressing.
Though still held in esteem, the Steelers no longer evoke the fear they once did among opponents.
This sentiment echoed through the Cincinnati locker room recently, where the opening lines of “Renegade” reverberated from a portable speaker following the Bengals’ efforts to keep their own playoff hopes alive.
It seems almost poetic; at this juncture, the Steelers seem to be struggling to regain their former prowess.
What’s working for them?
Cam Heyward’s performance stands out. The 35-year-old defensive tackle recently earned his seventh Pro Bowl selection, underscoring his importance to the team.
Not merely a formality, this acknowledgment reflects a remarkable season for Heyward, who achieved eight sacks and deflected a career-high 11 passes, including three in a recent game.
However, everything else is in question.
The offensive confidence that once shone brightly, particularly during a thrilling victory over the Bengals on December 1, has vanished.
First-time offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s continued reliance on ineffective play schemes, especially the tossing of the ball to running backs, has raised eyebrows, along with his tendency to rotate personnel groups instead of keeping key players consistently in the game.
On a brighter note, the Steelers made a wise investment in tight end Pat Freiermuth with a four-year extension last September, making him one of the 10 highest-paid players at his position.
Freiermuth has proven his value by setting a personal best with 65 receptions while matching his rookie touchdown tally with seven.
More significantly, he is becoming a respected figure in a locker room that increasingly needs its younger members to take up leadership roles.
In contrast, George Pickens had a disappointing performance in critical moments, recording just one catch for no yards and suffering from multiple drops.
This is an unexpected slip for a competitive and physically gifted player facing a defining offseason; he’ll enter the final year of his rookie deal and will need to negotiate a possible extension.
Injuries have been relatively mild for Pittsburgh, a concerning aspect given their current performance.
Cornerback Donte Jackson missed a recent game due to back issues, but is expected to return for the playoffs.
Rookie guard Mason McCormick sustained a minor left hand injury late in the game.
Overall, the Steelers should be at full strength heading into the playoffs.
A noteworthy statistic highlighting their struggles is that they have yet to score a touchdown on their opening drive this season, an indicator of a team that often takes time to find its rhythm during games, as Tomlin has pointed out multiple times.
As they prepare, the Steelers will head back to Baltimore for a rematch just weeks after suffering a 34-17 defeat at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21.