The Steelers Have A Realistic Chance To Win First Playoff Game In Seven Years During The 2023 Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had a losing season since 2003, but over the course of the last decade that hasn't had too much to show for in terms of playoff success. Since 2011, the organization has only been able to capture three wins in the postseason and two of them came in in the 2016 campaign. Head coach, Mike Tomlin has faced a ton of criticism for not being able to get the job done in January, but looking ahead to 2023, he is likely to have a chance to redeem himself.

The first thing that needs to be done to win a playoff game is, of course, to get into the playoffs. That is looking to be a little bit easier for Kenny Pickett in his first full season as the starting quarterback. According to Sharp Football Analysis, Pittsburgh had the fourth toughest schedule in the league in 2022.

Only one of the teams in the top five made the big dance and that was the Super Bowl Champion, Kansas City Chiefs. It's definitely not a bad thing to be battle-tested throughout the season. Franchises want to play and beat the best. But, it sure does help to have a lighter schedule in terms of difficulty.

Sports Central did an analysis on strength of the schedule in 2022 versus 2023. The Steelers' opponents in 2022 combined for a .519 winning percentage while the 2023 opponents were only at .470. That +59 differential is the eighth-largest in the entire NFL. Pittsburgh and Pickett seem to be in line for easier tasks in his sophomore year.

It's fair to note that every game in the NFL is a challenge no matter what team is on the opposing sideline, but it's hard to deny the fact that the Steelers will be in better shape as far as the schedule goes in 2023. Outside of the division, all of Pittsburgh's toughest games are at home. The Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers will all come to Acrisure Stadium in 2023.

Steelers Will Rely On A Healthy, Dominant Defense In 2023

Pickett is bound to take a big leap in his game and the offense should put up much better numbers after a strong end to the 2022 campaign. That won't be the reason Pittsburgh has a strong chance to make a playoff run, though. The defense is the key to securing 11 or 12 wins and potentially winning what is, arguably, the best division in the NFL.

If TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick can remain healthy throughout the season, the defense will be able to keep the team in every game. It should be similar to Ben Roethlisberger's second season when the offense did just enough behind a dominant defense to make some noise in the postseason.

An improved offense in 2023 paired with a revamped defense is going to make for a competitive Steelers team. Combine that with the fact that the path to the playoffs is a whole lot easier this time around and we very well could be looking at one or multiple wins in January's tournament. The AFC has a bunch of firepowers and surprising the NFL by coming out on top in the AFC North would be a huge advantage.

Pittsburgh has hosted just two playoff games since 2017 and lost them both. The crowd would be rocking and hungry to celebrate a big win. Tomlin and co. will need to take care of business when it comes to the lighter schedule, but if Pickett can take a big leap while relying on an intimidating defense, the sky may be the limit for this team in 2023.

Do you think the Steelers are set up to win one or more playoff games in Pickett's second season? Let us know in the comments below!

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