Steelers May Be A Team Of Destiny After High Amount Of Offseason Doubt

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a high amount of doubt surrounding them going into the 2024 season. The questions surrounding the quarterback position don't inspire a ton of confidence in the offense, although there is some newfound optimism under Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. Pittsburgh's season now has some high hopes after the promising performance of Justin Fields during the Week 1 victory over the 

It's almost a tradition every season that analysts doubt Head Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. Every year it is predicted that Tomlin's streak of consecutive non-losing seasons will come to an end, and he consistently proves everyone wrong. He hasn't been able to win a playoff game since the 2016 campaign, but his consistency doesn't go unnoticed. Sports media personality Bill Simmons spoke about the Steelers on the most recent episode of his podcast.

"Pittsburgh is the 'Nobody believes in us' team. That's clear. Nobody believes in Pittsburgh. People have s**t on them for the last three weeks to the point that they were one of my favorite picks for them to make the playoffs, one of my favorite zags, and even I had real doubt."

Simmons is speaking the truth. No one believes in the Steelers to do much during the 2024 season, and particularly not many believe in either Russell Wilson or Fields. Simmons has them labeled as some sort of team of destiny, and stated that all of the hate they have been getting over the last month is the reason he loves them. That is the exact kind of message that Tomlin's teams typically respond to. 

Pittsburgh's offense didn't look great during the preseason, which certainly ruined a lot of people's expectations for the team. The offensive line looked discombobulated, and injuries across the group will be difficult for Pittsburgh to power through. This is why it may be more beneficial for the team to start Fields, who could use his athleticism to escape from the pressure and make plays. After watching the offensive unit in Week 1 against Atlanta, it's clear there is a plan offensively that might just work.

Simmons spoke about how he chose the Steelers to make the postseason. The organization did this in 2023, but that was with a little bit of luck. Joe Burrow didn't play in either of Pittsburgh's games against the Cincinnati Bengals, which certainly helped the Steelers and the late-season push for a playoff spot.

This won't be the case in 2024, and Pittsburgh can't wait until the last three weeks of the season to turn it on and show some fight to get into the postseason. Starting in Week 11, Pittsburgh will play six games within the division while also taking on the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. That will be the last eight games of the season. It will be an absolute gauntlet, and even if they get to the postseason, the team will be pretty beat up after making their way through that buzzsaw. 

Steelers Absolutely Must Get Off To A Strong Start In 2024

The Steelers have been known to be a little sluggish to start the season the last couple years, but that can't happen in 2024. With the intensity of their schedule during the second half of the year, they must take advantage of the easier opponents on the docket. 

Pittsburgh started the season off with a victory against the new-look Falcons, and they have a very winnable game against the Denver Broncos in Week 2. They then continue a fairly easy schedule all the way until the gauntlet begins in Week 11, with their hardest game from the first half being against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Steelers may be a team that surprises some people, and Simmons believes they are in a spot to prove everyone wrong. If they can find a way through their second-half gauntlet to punch a ticket into the playoffs, they may be battle-tested enough to make some noise.

What do you think of Simmons' comments? Let us know in the comments below!

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