The Pittsburgh Steelers broke their three-game losing streak in Week 16 with an impressive 34-11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The game was a must-win if the Steelers want to make the postseason, and it was much needed for the organization as Head Coach Mike Tomlin was beginning to feel his seat getting a little hot. Fans were beginning to rant about the mediocrity of Tomlin's tenure, and were pushing the narrative that Tomlin should be fired or traded during the 2024 offseason. However, Rich Eisen was consistent in saying Tomlin shouldn't be going anywhere, and he was proven right following their blowout victory.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin before a game in 2023
The Steelers absolutely needed to win their Week 16 matchup against the Bengals if they wanted to have any chance to make the postseason in 2023, and they did so convincingly. The Wild Card race in the AFC is closer than it has ever been, so getting a blowout victory over a divisional opponent that is also trying to stay in the playoff picture was crucial. Eisen spoke about the Steelers recent victory on an episode of his show, The Rich Eisen Show, and he rubbed it in Steelers fans' faces about how he was right about Tomlin.
"They just put the bang thing on Jake Browning and the Cincinnati Bengals with their best game of the year. And, if you hear that noise right now...silence. Thats the Pittsburgh Steelers fans on my Twitter feed. You've been all over me, ever since I said you're out of your friggin' minds for wanting Mike Tomlin to go."
There has always been a contrast between how the national media speaks of Tomlin and how the local media in Pittsburgh speaks of Tomlin. The national media loves that he has never had a losing season, and they praise him after every win. Local pundits, on the other hand, are sick and tired of the mediocrity. They couldn't care less about never having a losing season. They care about not winning a playoff game since 2016. They want Tomlin out, but Eisen and a lot of the national media disagree.
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Bills Sean McDermott (left) and Steelers Mike Tomlin (right) shake hands after their 2019 matchup in Pittsburgh, PA.
Eisen originally made his statement about Steelers fans being crazy for wanting Tomlin gone after the team lost at home to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. He stood by his statement during the next two losses to the New England Patriots and to the Indianapolis Colts, and now he finally had his chance to say he was right after the Steelers got a convincing win against a worthy opponent. He spoke more about his defense of Tomlin, and how he understands the valid points that were made during the rough three game losing streak.
"If Mike Tomlin isn't being respected or listened to, which is the, coming into the game, valid conversation when George Pickens refuses to block for Jaylen Warren and he says 'I'll block for my wide receivers', and the conversation is that Mike Tomlin might be on his way out there in Pittsburgh. This team certainly didn't fold on him today. It was their best game of the year."
It is great to see the team finally playing hard, although many fans wish the effort had come weeks ago before the Steelers played themselves out of the top seven spots in the AFC. Tomlin has a knack for turning his teams around in the middle of the season. In 2022 the Steelers started the year with a 2-6 record, yet found a way to finish strong and wound up being 9-8 and having a chance to make the postseason in Week 18.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin delivers his post-game press conference after beating the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10 in Week 12 of 2023.
The Steelers went through their three game losing skid at the worst time of the year. The games at the end of November and into December mean the most when it comes to making the playoffs, and the Steelers hurt their playoff chances by not playing their best during that time. Steelers fans would argue Tomlin needs to have his team playing its best down the stretch of the regular season, which didn't happen and it is exactly why fans are pushing for him to be traded or fired. Eisen can have his moment of glory, but this win against the Bengals means nothing unless Pittsburgh sneaks into the playoffs.
What do you think of Eisen's comments to Steelers fans? Let us know in the comments below!
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