Everything is good now right SteelerNation? Three straight wins and the Baltimore Ravens imploded again meaning that the AFC North is within our reach. Therefore all of you that wanted to see Mike Tomlin on the way out of town owe one big apology don’t you?? That would also include me because I’ve been ready for change for the last couple of seasons so I guess all is forgiven now, even by me!
No, I don’t think I’ll be making any apologies just yet. Don’t get me wrong, bouncing back from brutal losses to Chicago and Buffalo has been impressive but nothing has been accomplished yet. Tomlin still doesn’t have his team in the postseason and the three teams the Steelers have beaten aren’t exactly the best the NFL has to offer.
But the biggest reason I’m not doing a whole lot of celebrating is because I’ve seen this movie before. I’ve seen Tomlin’s men get themselves into the postseason by playing well and/or winning a big road game or two in the process. The problem is what his team has done once it gets there.
Getting there… five straight postseason losses including one at home to Cleveland. But hey, there’s nothing any of us can do about the past right? We have to live in the moment and enjoy the ride! Honestly, these wins the last three weeks have been great especially over the Lions. I now have three more years of gloating around all these Detroit fans who have become unbearable in recent years.
In the back of my mind however I can’t get past what awaits. With every passing season the pressure mounts to get back on the postseason winning track. Like going by a car wreck on the highway, I can’t look away. Tomlin has three playoff wins in his last 12 postseason games yet I’m supposed to be “giddy” about getting back to the playoffs? Well, yes, yes I am! What else do we have?
I suppose if there’s a silver lining right now it might be the fact I have a lot of company when it comes to feeling this way. It’s like waiting for Godzilla’s other foot to come down crushing yet another bus load of people. I want to believe this Steelers’ team is different. I want to believe they won’t just get to the playoffs but they’ll get there and they’ll win! But I can’t let myself get to that point yet so no, not everything is good in SteelerNation. Things are looking up but there won’t be any apologies and I’ll be the first one to make one if the time comes.
