Steelers Hit With Harsh Season Record Prediction By NFL Network Analyst: "The Dream Dies"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made several big moves this offseason, significantly improving their roster on paper. Fans are optimistic about the team's new look and are hopeful for a strong performance this upcoming season. With all the changes aimed at making a deep playoff run, expectations are high. However, one NFL Network analyst has delivered a harsh prediction, projecting that the Steelers could end up with their worst record in over two decades.

Recently, Adam Rank released his game-by-game record predictions for every NFL team. In doing so, he predicted a surprisingly low win total for the Steelers, one that would break Head Coach Mike Tomlin’s streak of never having a losing season as head coach. 

"The dream dies," Rank said. "It officially dies. Mike Tomlin finishes below .500, unless you fire him right here or something like that. But still, it’s going to happen. The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to finish with just six wins."

A six win prediction is definitely surprising, especially considering that even in recent years of uncertainty, the Steelers have managed to finish with at least a .500 record. With all the new talent added this offseason, most would expect the team to take a step forward, not back. While the Steelers do face a tough schedule this year, predicting only six wins feels almost disrespectful. Here's a quick breakdown of the record Rank projected.

Week 1 — at Jets (Loss)

Week 2 — vs. Seahawks (Loss)

Week 3 — at Patriots (WIN)

Week 4 — vs. Vikings, in Dublin (WIN)

Week 5 — Bye Week

Week 6 — vs. Browns (WIN)

Week 7 — at Bengals, TNF (Loss)

Week 8 — vs. Packers, SNF (Loss)

Week 9 — vs. Colts (WIN)

Week 10 — at Chargers, SNF (Loss)

Week 11 — vs. Bengals (Loss)

Week 12 — at Bears (Loss)

Week 13 — vs. Bills (Loss)

Week 14 — at Ravens (Loss)

Week 15 — vs. Dolphins, MNF (WIN)

Week 16 — at Lions (Loss)

Week 17 — at Browns (Loss)

Week 18 — vs. Ravens (WIN)

This isn’t the kind of projection Steelers fans were hoping to see, especially after an offseason filled with excitement and bold moves. In Rank’s prediction, the Steelers are projected to go just 2-6 within the AFC North. While there’s no denying that the AFC North is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, a 2-6 divisional record would be a major setback. For a team aiming to return to the playoffs and hopefully make a run, struggling that much against division rivals is definitely not a good sign and only adds to fans' concerns.

This prediction also includes a daunting five-game losing streak in the middle of the season, a stretch that can seriously impact a team’s morale and ruin any momentum they’ve built. Long losing streaks can be tough to recover from, both mentally and physically. 

It’s especially concerning for Steelers fans, as it mirrors the way last season ended, with a five-game losing streak that drained the energy from the locker room. That rough finish rolled right into a disappointing first-round playoff loss to the division rival Baltimore Ravens, which was an ending that no one has forgotten.

The Steelers Have A Lot To Prove

With all the big changes made this offseason, the Steelers already had plenty to prove heading into the new year. Now, with this disappointing prediction added to the mix, there's even more motivation for the team to rise to the occasion and prove the haters wrong. This kind of criticism can serve as fuel for the Steelers who are eager to show that their new and improved roster is more than just good on paper. Despite the scrutiny, many fans remain optimistic and excited to see how this new-look Steelers roster performs. The hope isn’t just for progress, but it’s for real improvement and a step forward from last season, not a step back.

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