Steelers Making One NFL Analyst Optimistic Despite Kansas City Chiefs' Ownership Of The League

The Pittsburgh Steelers arguably had their worst loss of the season to the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. The Chiefs, led by the incredible Patrick Mahomes, beat Pittsburgh 29-10. The loss was made even worse by the fact that it was their third in a row. The league saddled the Steel City with three games in 10 days, which included the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens. However, no one is accepting excuses surrounding the scheduling of the games, and the Steelers went from being possible Super Bowl contenders, to being called frauds in a matter of days. 

Rich Eisen from NFL Network discussed the recent slide on The Rich Eisen Show. He said suddenly, fans went from being happy, to complaining that this is the same old thing they experience every year: the team performs well enough to slide into the playoffs, but then gets destroyed in the first round. He said fans shouldn't necessarily be as upset as they are; it is not entirely the Steelers' fault. 

"Because the Kansas City Chiefs, it's their league, and everyone else is rent paying right now," explained Eisen. "What a worse possible time to take on the Chiefs on the back end of three games in 11 days."

Eisen pointed out that fans are now complaining that quarterback Russell Wilson isn't the answer they thought he was. However, Eisen reminded listeners that he did win his first six out of seven games until he faced that tough three-game stretch. 

While those losses, according to Eisen, might indicate to some that the Black and Gold are not destined to win a Super Bowl at the end of the 2024 season, the longtime analyst is more optimistic about their future. He added that the Steelers clinched a playoff berth before many teams did. The fans are not stress-watching, counting on a win in the last game, or for other teams to lose to make it this year. He said if they beat the Cincinnati Bengals this week, they will likely face the Houston Texans in the first round, and that's a good thing. 

"If you beat Houston, you've taken a step forward this season and finish better than last year, and that's entirely possible," added Eisen. "They're playing good enough defense that they could take care of Joe Burrow and certainly CJ Stroud, who's not playing well at all and doesn't have the weapons to do it. And then having that as momentum springboard into Baltimore, Buffalo, or Kansas City. I'm also saying if all three Wild Card teams somehow win, then Harbaugh is coming to visit Pittsburgh."

The Steelers learned they will play the Bengals on Saturday at 8:00 PM EST in the final regular season game. The Bengals are still hoping for a chance to make the playoffs after a late-season resurgence. However, they need more to happen than just a win at Acrisure Stadium. They need other teams to lose. 

Eisen said he is reading all the reports from the local media "flipping out," and he is looking at this scenario as glass half full. Based on what Head Coach Mike Tomlin said during his weekly press conference, he believes he is doing all he can to motivate the players. 

Steelers Aren't Doing The Same Old Thing

While the fans might see this end-of-the-season collapse as the "same old thing," analysts other than just Eisen think this is different. Kyle Brandt said that usually, the Steelers are scrambling to make the postseason, and this season, they got in early. 

Brandt, like Eisen, thinks the Steelers have a shot to close the season out strong. He said that fans have to consider this season a success if they win in the first round against the Texans. 

How optimistic do you feel about the Steelers' chances in the playoffs? Click to comment below. 

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