CBS Analyst Ranks Steelers' Mike Tomlin Below AFC North Rival John Harbaugh In New 2023 Head Coach Rankings

The Pittsburgh Steelers' fan base has been extremely lucky over the course of the 21st century. The organization has played in three Super Bowls, winning two, and the majority of the 23 years has been led by Head Coach, Mike Tomlin. He has received a fair amount of criticism in recent years as his team has only been able to secure three playoff wins since the 2011 season. Despite a lack of postseason success, he still has yet to have a losing season since taking over the reigns from Bill Cowher back in 2007. He has an incredible 163-93-2 overall record.

Entering 2023, the Steelers aren't exactly being considered the favorites to win the AFC North. In fact, the team isn't even looked at as a playoff team. The division is stacked with talent from top to bottom and with a young quarterback in Kenny Pickett, many believe the other three teams have a significant edge over Tomlin and his group.

The talent in the AFC North is all over the place, but another aspect of the division that could be the league's best is the coaching. Tomlin, John Harbaugh, Zac Taylor and Kevin Stefanki make up one of, if not, the best foursome of leaders in the entire NFL. All four teams had three division wins in 2022 and it's going to be just as competitive in 2023.

Steelers' Tomlin Lands In Top 10 Of Head Coach Rankings, But Behind Familiar Foe

NFL writer for CBS Sports, Cody Benjamin, released his 2023 NFL Head Coach rankings on Sunday. All four leaders from the AFC North landed in the Top 20 with three of them being ranked in the Top 14. It wasn't surprising to see both Tomlin and Harbaugh end up in the Top 10, but it was rather interesting to see that the Ravens' man in charge got the nod over Tomlin.

Benjamin left Tomlin just out of the Top 5. He took a significant shot at the Steelers' leader and wrote that his strategy each year is better suited to compete at the Wild Card level and that's about it.

"Much like Sean Payton, [Tomlin's] searching for the postseason glory of old, going just 3-8 in the playoffs since 2010's Super Bowl loss. And his ground-and-pound philosophy tends to be better at producing Wild Card fighters than Lombardi contenders. But no one will ever count his teams out, both because of his unwavering fortitude and unmatched track record of 16 straight non-losing seasons," Benjamin wrote.

Harbaugh was put right at number five and Benjamin was a little more complimentary. A reader could sense some clear bias towards the Ravens and away from the Steelers.

"The recent playoff results haven't been overly encouraging (notice a theme here?); His Ravens have won just a single postseason contest in the last eight years. But his last half-decade has proven he's more adaptable than most, building around Lamar Jackson while maintaining a stingy 'D.' Should Jackson make another leap of his own, Harbaugh could finally contend for a second ring."

Tomlin has 16 more wins in his career than Harbaugh and more importantly, two fewer losses. Both organizations have reason to expect solid seasons in 2023, but Tomlin's 5-1 record against the Ravens since 2020 should have landed him above Harbaugh and in the Top 5 on Benjamin's list.

The numbers are clearly in Tomlin's favor within this rivalry, but a recent lack of playoff success is likely the main reason Harbaugh was able to get into the Top 5. Tomlin will look to break a rough playoff win drought in 2023 and surprise plenty of media and fans across the league. The best way to do this would be an AFC North Championship.

Are you surprised that Harbaugh was ranked above Tomlin? Let us know in the comments below!

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