The Pittsburgh Steelers were in a very good spot just a month ago, but then they lost four straight games. Their most recent loss—a 19-17 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals at home to end the regular season—was particularly brutal. Luckily, Pittsburgh had taken care of business earlier in the season and clinched their playoff spot. Now, they must halt their downward spiral and pull off an upset against the Baltimore Ravens to avoid being a one-and-done in the playoffs.
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Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh and Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin talk on the field prior to a competitive matchup in Pittsburgh, PA.
Mike Tomlin hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and his team is reeling at the worst possible time. However, the veteran head coach isn’t blinking. On Monday, Tomlin addressed the media in his weekly press conference and emphasized that the team is treating this challenging month as a valuable learning experience.
Tomlin’s confidence and poise will be crucial as the Steelers prepare for their postseason matchup. The team must quickly address its recent struggles, particularly on offense, while leaning on their defensive playmakers to keep the Ravens in check. If Pittsburgh can channel the lessons from their late-season skid, they’ll have a fighting chance to flip the script and keep their playoff run alive.
"For us, it’s important that we take the lessons and learn from the last month," Tomlin told the media. "Unfortunately, you probably learn more when there’s failure. Some of it is not jaw-dropping things or earth-shattering things."
Tomlin finds optimism in adversity, admitting that valuable lessons are often easier to learn during tough stretches. Before their four-game losing streak, Pittsburgh was in control of the AFC North and seemed poised to claim the division title. However, that outlook changed quickly, and now they face the daunting task of taking on the red-hot Ravens on the road.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Mike Tomlin speaks to members of the media during the 2024 season.
Despite the recent struggles, Tomlin remains focused and candid about the team’s shortcomings. During his press conference, he addressed the key issues that have plagued the Steelers in recent weeks and emphasized the importance of turning those lessons into meaningful adjustments ahead of their playoff showdown.
"We suffer the consequences of not winning the turnover battle in recent weeks," Tomlin said. "That has been very evident. We have also suffered the consequences of not performing to our standards in the red zone, offensively and defensively."
The good news for Tomlin and the Steelers is that a win against the Ravens would quickly erase the memory of their brutal four-game skid. The playoffs are a fresh start, where every team begins with the same record, and Pittsburgh now has an opportunity to wipe away the disappointment of the past month with a statement victory.
Slowing down Ravens stars Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will be no easy task, but Tomlin remains confident in his team’s ability to rise to the challenge. The Steelers split the season series with Baltimore in 2024, and before Russell Wilson’s costly fumble and pick-six in their last meeting, Pittsburgh was in a strong position to steal a win on the road.
Now, with everything on the line, the Steelers must capitalize on their lessons from the regular season and deliver their best performance when it matters most.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Appears Confident About Beating The Ravens In Postseason
The Steelers' most recent matchup with the Ravens ended in a 34-17 loss, but the game was far more competitive than the final score suggests. Pittsburgh was very much in contention until Wilson’s costly pick-six shifted the momentum for good. While the Steelers have historically had the upper hand against Baltimore in recent years, this Ravens team feels different.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a snowy game in Cleveland.
Still, the Steelers know how to face this familiar opponent, and Tomlin remains confident in his team’s ability to go into Baltimore and come away with a win. A victory would not only extend Pittsburgh’s season but also calm an increasingly restless fan base.
However, the stakes are high. A first-round playoff exit paired with a five-game losing streak to close out the 2024 season could force the organization to make some significant changes moving forward.
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