The Steelers opened the season with a dramatic overtime win in Cincinnati before dropping six of their next seven games. It looked like they were down and out, but a 5-2 stretch has them back in the mix – even if they’re on the outside looking in.
Pittsburgh travels to Baltimore for Sunday Night Football this week before hosting the Browns in Week 18. The Steelers need to win both games to finish with a winning record and have a chance to go to the playoffs.
Unfortunately, the Steelers don’t control their own destiny. They’ll need a few dominos to fall along with them winning out to reach the postseason.
NFL insiders Jason La Canfora and Brian Baldinger of the Audacy Original Podcast “In The Huddle” talked about the Steelers’ season and playoff hopes.
“I kind of like the Steelers in this spot on the road,” La Canfora said (19:23 in player above). “I like the way their defense is playing. I like the way they’re running the ball. I like the way Kenny Pickett protects the football. And they have a whole lot more on the line than the Ravens, who will be without Lamar Jackson yet again.”
The Ravens sit at 10-5 and have already clinched a playoff spot. Their final positioning is still to be determined, but it’s not a must-win game as it is for the Steelers.
“I like the Steelers,” Baldinger agreed. “I like the fact that their defensive line is healthy. Cam Heyward is an amazing, amazing player. When you put T.J. and Cam and Ogunjobi and Alex Highsmith up there, and you put Minkah in the middle of the field, they’ve got real players that can affect the game on any given play.”
The defense has been a big reason for Pittsburgh’s resurgence. The Steelers have allowed 17 points or fewer in each of their last five games.
Not only does Baldinger like the Steelers to beat the Ravens, but he took it one step further.
“I believe that Mike Tomlin will once again have a winning record for the 16th year in a row,” Baldinger said. “They’re just playing better. Sometimes it takes a whole season to figure it out… I think this team is going to the postseason.”
The Steelers’ playoff chances are in the single digits but there is reason for positivity in Pittsburgh heading into the final weeks of the season and beyond with Kenny Pickett under center.
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