The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off of back-to-back losses. Both of those contests saw the Steelers' struggling defense allow 30 or more points and at least 450 total yards of offense. Veteran Steelers defenders, such as Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen, have had a tough time stopping the likes of quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Jordan Love over this recent stretch. Two Thursdays ago, Pittsburgh lost 33-31 to the Cincinnati Bengals in primetime before falling to the Green Bay Packers 35-25 at home on Sunday Night Football. Now, Head Coach Mike Tomlin and co. have fallen to a record of 4-3 on the season.
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Mike Tomlin speaking to the media following the Steelers' 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Despite the rough stretch, there are some who still believe in the team from the Steel City. One of those people is former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, who has a hunch that Pittsburgh is still going to win the AFC North. Below is what he had to say via The Pat McAfee Show on Monday regarding the Steelers' division hopes.
"Yeah, I still say that Pittsburgh is the favorite (to win the AFC North). Obviously, last night and the past two weeks, there are conversations about them now," Orlovsky stated.
Steelers fans should have every right to feel the way they feel about their team after the last two weeks. They lost a bad game to the Bengals, who just lost to the previously winless New York Jets on Sunday. Then, after leading the Packers by two possessions in the second half on Sunday night, the Steelers surrendered 28 points to Green Bay and ended up losing by double-digits. These have been awful performances, especially on defense, after what was a very strong 4-1 start for the team.
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Patrick Queen makes a tackle against the Green Bay packers in 2025.
But still, this is a first-place team with a future Hall of Fame quarterback and head coach. Orlovsky might be in the minority on this, but there still is optimism around the Steelers, even if some don't want to admit it.
The Steelers' Regular Season Schedule Isn't Even Half Over
While the notion of the Steelers' 2025 slate not being half over yet could scare the fan base after what has happened these last few weeks, there is still some reason for hope. Again, as bad as the Steelers' defense has played, the team is in first place in the AFC North. Additionally, the defense cannot play any worse after giving up 30 or more points in four of the first seven games. There is nowhere to go but up. When it comes to the offense, despite Aaron Rodgers being 41 years of age, the four-time quarterback is playing at a Pro Bowl level. He is on pace to throw close to 40 touchdowns and has notched a passer rating of 104.4 this season. Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf is on pace to eclipse 1,100 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns. The offense has recorded at least 21 points in all but one game this season.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers sits in his locker before a home game at against the Green Bay Packers in 2025.
While the 2025 Steelers' offense isn't exactly the 2000 St. Louis Rams, they are playing formidable football with Rodgers keeping them in every game. That is why he the former Super Bowl MVP was brought to Pittsburgh. But now, it is time for the team to play complete football on both sides of the ball. Furthermore, with the trade deadline approaching, the organization should look to have a sense of urgency if it wants to add a talented weapon on offense. Over the next three weeks, the AFC-leading Indianapolis Colts, Justin Herbert-led Los Angeles Chargers, and the Cincinnati Bengals, who just beat the Steelers, are next up on the schedule for Tomlin, Rodgers, and co. If the Steelers can find a way to scrape out two wins over the next three weeks, they should have the inside track to winning the AFC North.
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