The Pittsburgh Steelers have not found the best ways to win, but they have found ways to win, period. Everyone knows all the stats by now: 6-3 record despite a negative point differential and being outgained in every single game so far. While no one really has an answer for this phenomenon, everyone is trying to figure out how the Steelers keep pulling wins seemingly out of thin air. The team itself credits the wins to staying committed and working hard, as you would expect them to.
Jordan Schoefield / SteelerNation (Twitter / x: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle, Cam Heyward (#97) during a regular season game in 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Cameron Heyward took offense to people coming up with their own theories of how the Steelers manage to steal wins despite losing the statistical battle via ESPN's Brooke Pryor. As far as he's concerned, the Steelers are doing what they are supposed to do to set themselves up for success. There is nothing out of the ordinary for this team.
"Who are they judging? They're not in this. Smoke and mirrors? Screw you. We work too hard for this. These guys dedicate their lives, and we try to be a good defense. Smoke and mirrors, I think that's a cloud of smoke," expressed Heyward.
The Steelers don't believe in whatever voodoo magic or light show that the fans and media claim to be the cause of these wins. There could be arguments made about this way of winning being unsustainable, but at the end of the day, the defense does their part to set up Kenny Pickett's record-setting comeback drives. The Steelers have a clear formula that sets up their wins.
Cam Heyward has a message for everyone who says the Steelers are winning with smoke and mirrors.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 17, 2023
“Smoke and mirrors? Screw you. We work too hard for this. …. I think that’s a cloud of smoke.” pic.twitter.com/AwhiUenUJv
Steelers Are Not Alone In Constant Ugly-Win Mode
The Steelers are not even the only team to use this method. The Minnesota Vikings went 13-4 and easily won their division while winning almost exclusively in tight one-score games. While they lost in the Wild Card round, they still put the world on notice. If you want to beat the Vikings, you have to give everything you have to do so.
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Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebackers James Harrison (92) and LaMarr Woodley (56) were a force that terrorized opposing quarterbacks.
In fact, the Vikings are still using that strategy in 2023. Despite Kirk Cousins going down with a torn Achilles, they have been winning close games with a quarterback that they just traded for. Joshua Dobbs, a former Steeler, has kept their win streak alive with tight wins and no smoke-and-mirror shows.
The Steelers are the same way. That opportunistic style sets them up to steal the game away and go home with a win. They might win ugly, but a win is a win at the end of the day. Whether the Steelers can make it work in the playoffs is to be determined, but for now, they have a clear path to the playoffs.
NFL / NFL Next Gen Stats
Pittsburgh Steelers' Kenny Pickett's passing chart against the Green Bay Packers in Week 10 that led to 126 yards through the air.
The Steelers have a relatively easy stretch of games coming up, immediately followed by a small, brutal stretch of games to end the season. In all of those games, the Steelers will look to keep doing what they have been doing all season long. Nothing matters in regards to their injuries, their opponents' injuries, the strength of their opponents, or anything else. The Steelers will play with an opportunistic defense that sets up the offense to finish the job and win the game.
What do you think about Heyward clapping back at the media and the fans for their theories, as well as the Steelers getting ugly win after ugly win? Let us know in the comment section below.
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