The Pittsburgh Steelers are enduring a December that can only be described as a Nightmare Before Christmas, and it's not the kind of festive holiday movie one would hope for.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers receiver George Pickens tried to avoid an Indianapolis Colts defender after making a catch in their Week 15 regular season matchup in 2023.
Instead, it's a stretch of football that ranks among the worst the Steelers have experienced in the last decade. From questionable coaching decisions to unsettling comments from players, a lack of leadership on offense, and inconsistent quarterback play, the Steelers are grappling with a plethora of issues.
Following their disheartening 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has found himself rapidly losing support among the Steelers' faithful. The situation in Pittsburgh is far from ideal, and Tomlin's coaching decisions have only exacerbated matters.
Tomlin recently addressed the media during a press conference to discuss the loss to the Colts and the upcoming home game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. During the press conference, a reporter asked Tomlin about his earlier statements regarding September events happening in December and inquired about the coaching staff's responsibility in this regard.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin at his weekly press conference.
Tomlin didn't deflect blame or make excuses; instead, he took full responsibility for the Steelers' December losing streak. He emphasized that the accountability starts with him as the head coach.
“It starts with me. Forget the coaching staff, it starts with me.”
He went on to elaborate on the need for a proactive approach, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive attitude despite the challenges the team faces. Tomlin's words conveyed his determination to address the issues and work toward improvement.
“Man, we’re going to work everyday. We’re going to have a can-do attitude. We’re not going to be helpless. We’re going to be helpful. I’m excited about getting started to work tomorrow. I think that’s one of the beautiful and challenging things of our league, man. It’s every week in this league. One week you’re drinking wine, the next week you’re squashing grapes. Obviously we squashed a lot of grapes of late. I’m interested in a little wine.”
Steelers Seeking A Drastic Turnaround
Steelers fans have grown weary of what they perceive as cliché-laden Tomlinisms and are yearning for a change in the team's fortunes. While the current situation may seem bleak, the Steelers' season is not necessarily over. Despite their recent setbacks, they remain in contention for a playoff spot, albeit with an incredibly slimmer margin for error.
The Steelers' chances of winning the AFC North have diminished entirely following the Baltimore Ravens' recent victory on Sunday night, a development that mathematically rules the Steelers out of the division title. Currently occupying the 10th position in the AFC, they find themselves on the outside looking in as they strive to salvage their 2023 season and secure a postseason berth. Although the odds may be against them, the Steelers still harbor hopes of making the playoffs.
Tomlin also provided an update on the quarterback situation, indicating that if Kenny Pickett is unable to play against the Bengals, Mason Rudolph will be the starting quarterback. This announcement seems to signify the end of the Mitch Trubisky experiment in Pittsburgh.
CBS Sports
Steelers QB Mason Rudolph (right) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (left).
The Steelers' upcoming showdown with the Bengals is critical, as they seek to reverse their recent slide. While the Steelers have been on a downward trajectory since their last victory over the Bengals on November 26th, a win on Saturday could inject a glimmer of hope into the season. The Bengals have seen their stock rising rapidly since losing to the Steelers. Although it won't erase the memory of three consecutive embarrassing December losses, it may reignite some slight optimism about their playoff prospects.
As the Steelers strive to navigate through this challenging December, Tomlin's leadership and ability to guide the team through adversity will be closely scrutinized. Whether the Steelers can overcome their December woes and secure a playoff berth remains to be seen, but one thing is clear. It all starts with Tomlin's leadership.
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