PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - It has been a rough decade plus for the Steelers, with the caveat anything short of a championship is not acceptable. They aren't alone.
Of the teams that made the NFL playoffs in 2012, only four of that dozen made the playoffs this year. Three of those 2012 playoff teams endured some horrible seasons before making it back.
What has happened to all of the great teams?
New England-was the top seed that year to only lose to the Giants. The Pats would win three more Super Bowls, so hard to cry for them. Since Tom Brady left, New England is 25-25 with their only playoff game being the worst beating in playoff history at Buffalo. Their future is uncertain with Mac Jones at quarterback.
Baltimore-won the division and were the two seed and would win the Super Bowl the next year. They haven't won a playoff game since and missed the post-season five times. Their quarterback situation is anywhere from a quagmire to a cluster.
Houston-the three seed, have won three playoff games since. They have also won 11 games total in the last three seasons. Their head coaching situation has been a disaster and they traded their troubled franchise quarterback.
Denver-the fourth seed, Tim Tebow knocked the Steelers out. They won the Super Bowl in 2015 and haven't been back to the playoffs. Broncos have six consecutive losing seasons and the trade for Russell Wilson was a major failure, at least in year one.
Steelers-the fifth seed, have won three playoff games since. They've missed the playoffs in three of the last five seasons. They have a second-year quarterback with questions about the offensive coordinator.
Cincinnati-the sixth seed, went until 2021 without a playoff victory. Had 25 wins from 2016-2020, but now have one of the best quarterbacks in the game and seemingly the brightest future in the division.
NFC
Green Bay-the top seed, four times since 2012 they made the NFC Championship game, four times they lost. Even with an all-time quarterback they have had losing seasons in three of the last six. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers playoff future is very much in doubt.
San Francisco-the two seed would lose the Super Bowl the next season, the Niners would have one winning season between 2013-2020, that one getting to and losing a Super Bowl. Questions remain at quarterback, but San Francisco has a hot offensive system as they search for the right QB already with a defense full of playmakers.
New Orleans-the three seed, never made another Super Bowl after the win in 2009 and only one conference championship game. QB Drew Brees is gone as is Sean Payton and the Saints are treading waters looking for the next quarterback.
New York Giants-the four seed and Super Bowl winner have had one season with double-digit wins since and seven years with six wins or fewer. Made the playoffs this past year at 9-7-1 but will have to re-sign QB Daniel Jones and prove they can do it two straight years
Atlanta-the five seed would lose the conference championship in 2012 and an epic meltdown in the 2016 Super Bowl. Falcons have five straight losing seasons in a now weak division searching for a starting QB.
Detroit-the six seed, haven't won a playoff game since 1991, haven't made the playoffs since 2016 having a late run this year to finish with nine wins, more than the previous two seasons combined. They have young talent. Can they build on the end of last season?
The teams shining in 2023 when through losing seasons and most through deep valleys to build what they are now. Can the Steelers way of being competitive every year work in today's NFL?
