Steelers Branded As Dangerous Playoff Threat Despite Brutal 3-Game Collapse

The Pittsburgh Steelers went from Super Bowl contenders to pretenders in the eyes of many in one short month. The Steelers knew they were entering into a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days against the NFL's toughest contenders. After three losses in less-than-competitive games, the momentum has shifted big time. 

Pittsburgh hasn’t had many pundits supporting them as a dangerous team after the three-game collapse, but ESPN's Ben Solak still has faith in the Mike Tomlin-led team. Solak wrote an article on Tuesday where he shared why he thinks this Steelers team is the most dangerous they have fielded in several years. Solak doesn’t believe anyone should be sleeping on Pittsburgh in the postseason even after the last three losses.

Solak pointed out that while the Steelers’ recent performances have been disappointing, the raw talent and potential on both sides of the ball remain undeniable. Pittsburgh boasts a defense anchored by stars like TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, capable of turning a game around in an instant. Offensively, despite recent struggles, the Steelers have shown flashes of brilliance that hint at their ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. According to Solak, the key lies in consistency and execution.

"The past three games for the Steelers have been perhaps the most brutal stretch of any team this regular season: at Philadelphia, short week, at Baltimore, short week, vs. Kansas City," Solak wrote. "In that span, they saw absences from star wide receiver George Pickens, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., cornerback Donte Jackson and safety DeShon Elliott. Oh, and TJ Watt is clearly hurt, even if he isn't missing time. Now there isn't a fairy godmother to wave a magic wand and make everyone healthy in the postseason; the Steelers are going to have to carry some of these nagging injuries with them, but I'm confident that Pittsburgh is a better team than recent memory is telling us."

The Steelers have long been known for their resilience, and this year’s team has all the ingredients to play spoiler in January. While the three-game skid has raised valid concerns, it’s also provided an opportunity for Pittsburgh to regroup and refocus ahead of the postseason. 

Solak believes that under Tomlin’s leadership, this team is more than capable of silencing doubters and making a deep playoff run. The road won’t be easy, but if history has shown anything, it’s that counting out the Steelers is always a mistake.

"And even though Tomlin has lost in the postseason recently, we're still talking about a dynamite situational coach with a playmaking defense and a great special teams unit," Solak said. "Tomlin has proved over his long career that he is good at winning close games and overachieving as an underdog."

Despite Tomlin's greatness as a head coach in the NFL. The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. That doesn't change Solak's opinion on the potential of this team.

"Pittsburgh will be offensively outclassed in every postseason game it plays, but the AFC is a sneakily weak conference," Solak said. "Kansas City just beat the Steelers 29-10 — for its biggest margin of victory on the season. The Bills' defense is highly suspect, and the Ravens have historically struggled with Tomlin's Steelers. If it comes down to fourth quarter drives and last-second field goals, Pittsburgh is deserving of a disproportionate amount of our faith."

Many Steelers fans had sky-high expectations when the team sat at 10-3, firmly in control of the AFC North title race. However, after three consecutive losses and yet another late-season collapse, frustration has boiled over, and calls for Tomlin’s firing are louder than ever. Tomlin now faces the daunting task of silencing his critics by guiding this team on a deep playoff run.

Steelers' Highest-Paid Defense Must Fix Major Issues Fast

If he fails to do so, Steeler Nation will view this season as a bitter disappointment. There’s still a glimmer of hope for Pittsburgh to turn things around and win in the postseason, but they’ve been relegated to pretender status in the eyes of many. Solak remains one of the few believers, pointing to the Steelers' undeniable star power. However, even Solak acknowledges the alarming cracks in the defense, which has faltered badly in recent weeks.

To make matters worse, star players have begun calling out an unnamed teammate, adding to the growing tension within the locker room. If the Steelers hope to win a playoff game—or even string together a postseason run—the NFL’s highest-paid defense must rediscover its dominance. The talent is there, but execution and unity must return if Pittsburgh wants to salvage their season.