Steelers Named In Bold Prediction As The Only Team Who Can Stop The Kansas City Chiefs

The Pittsburgh Steelers have stormed into the 2024 season, taking much of the league by surprise with their 8-3 start. Before the season got underway, numerous analysts believed Pittsburgh would finish at the bottom of the AFC North. Many didn't think the Steelers would win the division, make the playoffs, or win a playoff game. While they still have a long way to go, and divisional foes like the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals are picking up speed, they have a real shot. 

In fact, Mike Garafolo from NFL Network recently said that he believes the Steelers are the biggest threat to the Kansas City Chiefs based on what he's seen so far. The Chiefs have pulled out several close wins against teams they were expected to dominate, such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers. They have only one loss against the Buffalo Bills and sit atop the AFC.

"It's the Pittsburgh Steelers because of the consistency they've shown," revealed Garafolo. "Their losses were close losses. Coming into the season, I would not have believed that at this point, I'd be saying it's the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's because of the talent they have, but it's because of the coaching. Their coaching is humming right now. You got Mike Tomlin going out on a limb, and when I say out on a limb, going into his coaching staff and saying, 'I'm going to start Russell Wilson now,' and knowing that room was not in agreement with him. And then that coaching staff, offensively, having to turn things around and think, 'Now we've got to game plan,' after we've been seeing the best of Justin Fields, for the best of Russell Wilson, and doing it!"

The Steelers will face the Chiefs on Christmas Day of 2024. That game, which will be held at Acrisure Stadium, is considered one of the toughest in a long line of grueling games in the second half of the season. Garafolo didn't just praise Head Coach Mike Tomlin. He believes the assistant coaches—Arthur Smith, Teryl Austin, and Danny Smith—deserve credit.    

"Arthur Smith and that offensive staff, they've got Mike Sullivan, who was the play-caller last year who's still there as an assistant, has been sort of a bridge for Arthur Smith this year, been a sounding board for him because he was there last year," added Garafolo. "They are doing a great job offensively. And defensively, how about Teryl Austin and what he's doing? We always say, 'Mike Tomlin's defense.' No, this is Teryl Austin's defense. Then, Danny Smith, what they are doing from a special teams standpoint, you always see the reactions from players to Danny Smith; you can tell how much they love him. This coaching staff is the reason why I believe on any given day, they can get this team ready."

Garafolo praised Austin's work with the defense. He even noted that Austin was once touted as an up-and-coming assistant earmarked for a head coaching job. He believes what he has done this season makes him worthy of having his name tossed back in the hat.    

The Steelers have a tough road to close out their season. They face Joe Burrow and the Bengals in Week 13 and must win this game to solidify their place in the AFC North. 

Steelers' Defense Needs To Finish Strong

While the Steelers have played better football than many expected, their defense needs to have a strong finish to the season. The usual splash players like T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick must come up big in these final games.

Tomlin believes that many factors have gone into minimizing the splash. These include injuries to Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig and all the extra attention Watt garners. Herbig has already returned from his injury and the team is hopeful that Highsmith will return against the Bengals. 

Do you believe the Steelers are the biggest threat to the Chiefs? Click to comment below. 

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