The Pittsburgh Steelers head into their Monday Night Football contest against the Miami Dolphins with a chance to win back-to-back games for the first time since late September. At that time, the Steelers beat the New England Patriots on the road and then went to Dublin, Ireland to defeat the Minnesota Vikings. That win against the Vikings put Pittsburgh at 3-1, which it then followed up on the next week with another victory, knocking off the Cleveland Browns 23-9. However, since that three-game stretch, the Steelers have been far from consistent.
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Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson recovers fumble during game against the New England Patriots in Week 3
In fact, entering Week 14's divisional tilt with the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers had a two-game losing streak. Now, with a one-game lead on the AFC North, the Steelers look to turn that into a two-game winning streak.
On Friday, former Steelers Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley joined Kaboly + Mack with Mark Kaboly and Chris Mack. Haley spoke of the current situation surrounding Head Coach Mike Tomlin and mentioned how he has not only endured these situations before, but in fact thrived in them. Haley also eluded to the chance Tomlin has to lead the Steelers to a second-straight win, which would further help their chances of winning the AFC North crown in 2025.
"That's the key is putting it back-to-back, you know, and in this critical time of the year," Haley said.
Haley also discussed the fan frustration with and surrounding Tomlin that was heard loud and clear at the Steelers' last home game against the Buffalo Bills. The Steelers have also not won a playoff game since their 18-16 Divisional Round victory on January 15th, 2017 at the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Steelers' Todd Haley before a game in Pittsburgh.
That long stretch combined with the Steelers' struggle to even be competitive in playoff games since then has definitely contributed to the adversity that Tomlin has faced as a coach of late. Haley also added on the podcast that he was not shocked by the result of the Steelers' Week 14 win in Baltimore since Tomlin is very well experienced in the adversity department.
"I was not surprised at all by the result, I do believe Mike Tomlin thrives in adversity and actually enjoys it. A lot of people cower, he rises up and thrives in it," Haley said.
Now, it will be up to Tomlin and co. to back it up on Monday evening. A victory against the Dolphins will go a long way, particularly if the Ravens end up falling to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Steelers' Have A Chance To Silence Critics Further Monday
The Steelers will look to rise to the occasion for Tomlin on Monday Night against Miami. The goal will be to try and help Tomlin avoid further criticism from fans. A win against Miami would help that cause, but it will not come easy for the Steelers.
Fans learned recently that Steelers' All-Pro linebacker TJ Watt will be out Monday night after sustaining a lung injury that caused him to get surgery. The Steelers do hope to get Watt back on the field at some point this season, but no specific date has been provided on his status for that as of yet and the answer to that is certainly up in the air.
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Steelers' TJ Watt says bye to an away crowd after a game.
Haley is also someone that is not a stranger to criticism or adversity, as he was highly criticized towards the end of his tenure with the Steelers as their offensive play-caller back in 2017. The end of Haley's time in the Steel City was surrounded with some tension with former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as well as "Fire Haley" chants, similar to the "Fire Tomlin" ones that could be heard in the Steelers' previous home game against the aforementioned Bills.
The Steelers do seem to have one specific advantage come Monday night against Miami that has been a huge talking point all week long. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has not won a game at quarterback in games when the temperature is below 40 degrees.
However, aside from that, the Dolphins run more of a finesse style run game with running back De'Von Achane rather than a power-style running game. The forecast in Pittsburgh for Monday night calls for temperatures in the teens, with frigid wind chills.
Do you think the Steelers are equipped to handle the adversity and win Monday night? Let us know in the comments below!
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