You may have heard this one before, but Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL.
Former Steelers defensive lineman Chris Hoke believes this is the year that changes.
In studio for his first weekly segment of the NFL season, Hoke said on The Joe Starkey Show that he can see the Pittsburgh finishing 8-9.
“I went through the schedule and I marked win, loss, win, loss,” and he came up with only 8 wins.
Hoke put the caveat in that the variables of an NFL season are impossible to predict. That includes injures, who is exceeding expectations, players not performing like they should and more.
But, as of now, it’s up to how Russell Wilson does at quarterback.
And, Hoke doesn’t see Russ being able to do much if the offensive line doesn’t play well.
“I think [the offensive line is] average at best because you got guys trying to work in positions, you got Spencer Anderson at left guard . . . he has no starts, only a few snaps in the NFL,” said Hoke. “You got Zach Frazier who has no starts in the NFL but, I think, has a huge upside and then Broderick Jones, where’s he at, how’s he going to play?”
Another reason? A brutal schedule.
The Steelers have to play their AFC North opponents twice (Ravens, Bengals and Browns), Chiefs, Aaron Rodgers and the Jets and Cowboys.”
Hoke adds the Steelers have to win the games they are supposed to win and don’t have much room for error against teams like Kansas City.