Steelers' Mike Tomlin Brushes Off Horrific 4-Game Losing Streak

The Pittsburgh Steelers have ended the 2024 season like how they've ended most seasons over the previous seven: on a very low note. They lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18 to solidify the four-game losing streak before the playoffs. Head Coach Mike Tomlin previously said that his team needed this win just to be rid of the "stench" of losing before the playoffs. Instead of playing like they have something to prove, they shot themselves in the foot repeatedly. For most of the game, they looked like they wanted to go home. 

During his post-game press conference, Tomlin was asked about his thoughts about the losing streak, and he seemed like he was ready to just throw it in the rearview and forget about it.

"It's disappointing, because we play and play to win, but it's neither here nor there. We're in the single-elimination tournament now, so we better turn our attention toward playing good football, and better than we have, particularly in recent weeks."

Unfortunately, the disappointing run of football is right now in the present. The team has lost four games in a row to end the season. Tomlin shouldn't just brush it off and pretend it's a thing of the past when you have another game to prepare for. The Steelers started the season 10-3, then they just blew it entirely. There are reasons why these things happen, and if the head coach either can't or won't figure them out and fix them, there is no hope for the team in the Wild Card Round. 

Barring a surprise upset of the Las Vegas Raiders over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers will have the six seed, and they will face the Baltimore Ravens on the road in the first round. Even though Pittsburgh had its way with them, and particularly Lamar Jackson, the Ravens finally got their revenge and smoked the Steelers as part of that massive recent losing skid. The tables have been turned, and Tomlin needs to do something about it. 

Steeler Nation is already aware of all the recent late season and playoff failures that Pittsburgh has endured, but it keeps getting repeated due to mindsets like Tomlin's. One of his many cliches is "raise hell in December." The only hell being raised is by the fan base, who is sick and tired of the same problems. History keeps repeating itself.

If the head coach continues to make the same mistakes over and over again and avoid self-reflection, the Steelers are doomed to this fate every year. This is "The Standard" until Tomlin makes a conscious decision to make the necessary changes. If not, then the Rooney family is just wasting its money on a legacy coach that refuses to adapt to the modern game. 

Steelers' Recent Failures To End Seasons In Past Years

This is the fifth time in the past seven years that the Steelers have had a 3+ game losing streak after Thanksgiving. Blown December games cost them a playoff spot in 2018 and 2019, then they got obliterated in the playoffs after choking in 2020. This is the new norm for Pittsburgh. Greatness is optional under Tomlin, it seems.

When the Steelers do make it to the playoffs, they forget to show up. During each game of their five-game playoff losing streak, they were down by at least 20 points at one point in time. Coming back against the most basic offenses and prevent defenses in the second half is not an accomplishment. 

Since that first choke, nearly every player has been replaced. Nearly every coach has been replaced. The Steelers even brought in a new general manager, yet the same story keeps playing out. There's no cancerous "Killer Bs" to blame it on this time. There's no duck-calling champion at quarterback to blame. The issues consistently point to one man and one alone.

What do you think about Tomlin brushing off yet another monumental losing streak? Let us know in the comments.

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