The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently sitting at 10-3, but you wouldn’t know it from the narrative around them. Spend a day watching NFL talk shows, and you’d think they were a mediocre 7-6 team destined for a quick exit in the first round of the playoffs. Critics continue to underestimate their resilience and overlook the strengths that have led to wins.

The Steelers have drawn comparisons to the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC — another team with a good record but plenty of doubters. For Pittsburgh, the conversation often centers on whether their success is legitimate or just the result of favorable matchups and a bit of luck.

One constant throughout the Steelers' success has been the steady hand of head coach Mike Tomlin. With a remarkable record of no losing seasons during his long tenure, Tomlin’s leadership has been a cornerstone of the franchise’s resilience. His adaptability and focus have kept the Steelers competitive regardless of circumstances.

The Steelers have all the pieces in place to make a legitimate Super Bowl run, even if the narrative doesn’t always reflect it. Their resilience, leadership, and ability to win in different ways have carried them this far. Now, they’ll need to fine-tune their approach, address lingering weaknesses, and lean into their strengths to prove the doubters wrong and cement themselves as true contenders on the biggest stage.

Tomlin’s Bold Gamble Pays Off

The Steelers’ 2024 season has been defined by a quarterback saga that began before the first snap. Russell Wilson, brought in on a one-year deal to provide veteran leadership and playoff experience, was named the starter during the offseason. However, a calf injury sidelined him just before Week 1, forcing Mike Tomlin to turn to Justin Fields.

Fields stepped in admirably, leading the Steelers to a 4-2 record and proving he could handle the pressure.

Despite his success and the team’s competitive start, Tomlin made the bold decision to see what the offense would look like with Wilson at the helm in Week 7.

The reasoning was clear: Wilson’s leadership and extensive playoff experience were something the team needed to succeed in a win-or-go-home scenario. Tomlin joined The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday and talked about how difficult of a decision it was:

You know, from my perspective, it wasn’t as controversial or as difficult a decision as it might seem from the outside. I get the benefit of watching him operate every day — not only in terms of his throwing talents and ability to throw the football but also the intangible qualities he brings to the role. He’s got over a decade of experience, and he has a way with his teammates that’s truly inspiring.

Since Wilson’s return, the Steelers have seemed like a different team. They've gone 6-1 since Tomlin made the switch, revitalizing their offense and nearly doubling their passing yards per game. This resurgence, paired with a top-five defense led by T.J. Watt and standout special teams performances, has led them to win six out of their last seven games.

The Blueprint for Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl Run

Revitalized Offense

With Wilson under center, the team has gone 6-1, beating all three of their division rivals along the way, with him throwing 12 touchdown passes to just 3 interceptions. This resurgence has more than doubled the team’s passing touchdowns per game, from 0.8 with Justin Fields to 1.7, while nearly doubling passing yards per game as well — up to 255 from 184. Wilson’s 104 passer rating far outpaces Fields’ 93, providing both stability and explosiveness to the unit.

A major beneficiary of Wilson’s insertion into the lineup has been George Pickens. According to NextGen Stats, Pickens has been getting less separation and a smaller percentage of the intended air yards, yet he's improved across all key production metrics, including total yards, yards per reception, touchdowns, and yards after the catch.

This highlights Wilson’s knack for elevating the team’s top playmakers, even when defenses are keyed in on them. Wilson’s ability to adapt and make the most of each situation has not only elevated individual performances but also injected a level of confidence and efficiency into the offense that the Steelers haven't had in quite some time.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If this video doesn’t give you chills man… <br><br>Bill Cowher to Russell Wilson:<br><br>“Go get number 7.”<br> <a href="https://t.co/aXUvtwXekz">pic.twitter.com/aXUvtwXekz</a></p>&mdash; Zach (@ZPSteelers2) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZPSteelers2/status/1867280165543575552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Elite Defense

The Steelers’ defense has been the backbone of their success, allowing just 18.3 points per game — ranking them top-five in the league. This unit has put constant pressure on opposing offenses and creates opportunities for the team to control games.

At the center of it all is T.J. Watt, who continues to anchor the pass rush with his relentless energy and game-wrecking talent. With 9.5 sacks on the season, Watt sets the tone for a unit that thrives on disrupting opposing quarterbacks and forcing mistakes.

The Steelers boast the fifth-best pass-rush win rate in the league, according to ESPN, which has translated to bad decisions by opposing quarterbacks and, more importantly, turnovers. They currently lead the league in takeaways per game, a clear sign of how well they capitalize on mistakes and swing the momentum in their favor.

Special Teams Excellence

The Steelers’ special teams have quietly been one of the most impactful units in the league this season. They’ve blocked four kicks, tied for the league lead in both blocked field goals and blocked punts.

Their kicker, Chris Boswell, has been lights out from deep range. Reliable as ever, Boswell has converted 33 of 36 field goal attempts, including an impressive 11 of 12 from 50-59 yards. When the offense stalls, Boswell’s consistency ensures the Steelers still come away with points. Earlier in the season, ESPN Personality Dan Orlovsky infamously said:

The Steelers are a very good football team. If they don't get to the AFC title game or what might not make them a legit Super Bowl contender, you are not gonna beat Lamar, you're not going to beat Josh Allen, and you're not going to beat Patrick Mahomes kicking field goals.

While I understand what he was trying to say, the issue is, he said this mere days after the Steelers beat Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on six Boswell field goals

Special teams often decide games in the postseason, where a single momentum-swinging play can alter the outcome. Whether it’s a blocked kick, a clutch field goal, or a game-changing return, the Steelers are well-equipped to make those plays. Sure, the Steelers aren’t making a Super Bowl run without scoring touchdowns on offense, but their special teams unit could help mask some of the team’s weaker spots.

The Playoff Road Ahead

First Round

The Steelers are in the thick of the playoff hunt, and where they land is in their control — if they can take care of business. Whether they finish as the 5 seed or the 3 seed, every game left on the schedule is loaded with seeding implications, making this stretch crucial to setting the tone for their postseason run.

Their Week 16 matchup with the Ravens will play a huge role in setting the entire AFC playoff picture. Ironically, one of their most probable first-round opponents is Baltimore. As the 5 seed, they’re likely to face either the Ravens or the Texans, while as the 3 seed, their most likely matchup would be against the Ravens or the winner of the Week 16 showdown between the Broncos and Chargers.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens always pose a tough challenge with Lamar Jackson under center, but the Steelers have reason to feel confident. To win, the game plan starts with leaning on their defense to contain Jackson’s dual-threat abilities. The offense, meanwhile, needs to take advantage of Baltimore’s inconsistent secondary by targeting George Pickens for deep shots.

Depending on how their final regular-season meeting with the Ravens goes, Pittsburgh could enter the playoffs having already beaten Baltimore twice this season. Even if they split the season series, they’ll have the confidence of knowing they can win, even on an off day offensively.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Don&#39;t get it twisted! Steelers DOMINATE the Ravens!<br><br>🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steelers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Steelers</a> <a href="https://t.co/TLpNg8Iahn">pic.twitter.com/TLpNg8Iahn</a></p>&mdash; The Standard (@TheStandard412) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheStandard412/status/1858577433164722301?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Houston Texans

Facing the Texans would play right into Pittsburgh's strengths by being able to attack a struggling offensive line with their dominant pass rush. On defense, the focus would be keeping everything in front of them and ensuring that Houston’s outside weapons don’t take over the game. By controlling the line of scrimmage, I'd like the Steelers in this matchup.

Chargers/Broncos

These two potential opponents share similarities in their strengths and weaknesses. The Chargers bring a slightly more explosive offense, while the Broncos offer more consistency overall. Both teams have sneaky-good defenses, but they’ve shown vulnerability to big plays — a perfect scenario for George Pickens to shine. Controlling the tempo and picking their spots to attack would give the Steelers the upper hand.

Second Round

As the Steelers advance to the second round, their most likely opponents shape up to be the Kansas City Chiefs if they’re the 5 seed or the Buffalo Bills if they’re the 3 seed. Securing two home games would require Buffalo to be upset in the first round, but either way, these matchups will test Pittsburgh’s strengths.

Kansas City Chiefs

Facing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs is arguably the toughest challenge the Steelers could face. The game plan would hinge on putting consistent pressure on Mahomes to disrupt his rhythm and limiting Travis Kelce’s impact in key moments. Offensively, Pittsburgh would need to control the clock with a balanced attack, keeping Kansas City’s explosive offense on the sidelines. The Chiefs’ secondary has been dealing with injuries, making this one of the few times in recent years where their defense appears vulnerable. If there’s a team that can keep Mahomes in check, it’s the Steelers’ defense.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills present a different challenge with Josh Allen’s dual-threat capabilities. The focus for Pittsburgh would be on containing Allen’s damage on the ground and forcing him to rely on his less-proven receiving options. On the other side of the ball, Buffalo’s defense has struggled to stop the run, ranking in the bottom half of the league. The Steelers could exploit this weakness, dominating time of possession and keeping Allen off the field.

Whichever of these teams the Steelers don’t face in the second round, there’s a strong chance they’ll be waiting in the AFC Championship. Navigating this gauntlet will require Pittsburgh to play at their best, but they’ve shown they can compete with anyone in the league.

Proving Everyone Wrong

The Steelers have shown all season that they’re built to compete with the best. Their experienced leadership under Mike Tomlin, a dominant defense anchored by T.J. Watt, and a special teams unit that can swing momentum make them a dangerous team in the postseason.

Of course, there are still some areas they’ll need to tighten up — like depth at the wide receiver position and staying healthy through the final stretch — but those are things they’ve proven they can manage. With a few tweaks and a continued focus on playing to their strengths, the Steelers are determined to prove the doubters wrong and make a real run at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February.