SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The ‘Rooting for Failure’ Edition

Good Wednesday to you Steelers fans.

I don’t get it. I really don’t… I do not understand how fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers – or any team for that matter – can root for their guys to fail. Why would you even call yourself a fan? What am I talking about? Most of you know exactly what I’m talking about. Because the Steelers slipped into the postseason once again and are underdogs on the road in Buffalo, the number of “fans” who are upset about this is mind-boggling. I’m not naive however because I know exactly what some of these fans are feeling this way over. They don’t like Mike Tomlin and the sooner the team fails the sooner they get their wish of Tomlin being fired. To that group I say this; he isn’t getting fired. He could go 6-11 for the next two seasons and he STILL wouldn’t get fired. If Bill Cowher can go three straight seasons with no postseason appearances and not get axed then why would you think Tomlin would? To those that didn’t want this team in the playoffs because you “wanted a better draft pick” then that’s just as pathetic. Whether the Steelers pick 20th or 17th doesn’t matter. If there’s a guy they want then they’ll go get him, period. The Steelers are like any other team in the 14-team playoff field in that they have a chance to survive and advance and isn’t that what this is all about? Having a chance? No matter what I think of Mike Tomlin I can’t imagine hoping my team fails. I just don’t get it.

George

The last couple of weeks, I’ve seen many suggest that Steelers’ wide receiver George Pickens now seems to “get it.” They’re saying this after Pickens gave less than adequate effort in some games and then followed that up with negative comments. This one is pretty easy to digest. Winning cures everything. The Steelers have won three straight and are headed for the postseason. Even after a game in which Pickens had zero receptions, his behavior was professional. Ask yourself though, what if the team had lost? I am hopeful that Pickens is maturing and learning how to navigate the ups and downs of a long NFL season but I also have seen movies like this before.

Our 2024 Opponents

With the regular season over and with the normal rotation in place, we now know exactly the opponents the Steelers will play in 2024. Besides their divisional rivals, they’ll face the NFC East and the AFC West. Their 17th game will be against the Atlanta Falcons. Here’s the rundown.

HOME: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns in the North, in addition to the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants and the New York Jets

AWAY: Baltimore, Cincinnati and Cleveland, as well as the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders.

The Colts, Raiders and Jets are featured because they finished in the same place (third) in their divisions as did the Steelers.

Steelers History

This week’s edition of Steelers History takes us back to 1974. The Steelers – although we didn’t know it at the time – were starting their magical run to their first Super Bowl title. They hosted Buffalo led by all-pro running back O.J. Simpson.