Whereas it did not embody many good performs by the Steelers, the second half of Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Buffalo Payments did embody some jeers from Pittsburgh’s annoyed fan base.
After main 7-3 at halftime, the Steelers had been completely dominated within the second half, being outscored 23-0 en path to a 26-7 beatdown. Throughout that sequence, followers not solely booed in the course of the taking part in of “Renegade,” they chanted “Fireplace Tomlin!” loud sufficient for Mike Tomlin to be requested about it afterward.
“I share their frustration tonight,” Tomlin stated. “We did not do sufficient. That is simply the fact of it.”
Whereas he is been extremely profitable in Pittsburgh, Tomlin’s current observe file is something however.
Since beginning 10-3 final season, the Steelers are simply 6-11 of their final 17 video games. The Steelers misplaced their closing 5 video games of the 2024 season that included their sixth straight loss within the playoffs.
Pittsburgh obtained off to a 4-1 begin this season, however has since misplaced 5 of its final seven video games. The Steelers had an opportunity to distance themselves from the AFC North discipline earlier than Halloween. However as an alternative of doing that, they discover themselves trailing the 6-6 Ravens (through tiebreaker) within the division standings three days after Thanksgiving.
Sunday was apparently the tipping level for a lot of Steelers followers. It was one of many worst losses of the Tomlin period and will presumably be his worst regular-season loss at residence.
The Steelers had been outmatched on each side of the ball after taking a 7-0 lead halfway by the second quarter. From that time on, they had been outscored 26-0, out-gained 256-96, dedicated two turnovers, had a turnover on downs and allowed Buffalo’s offense and protection to attain touchdowns. Pittsburgh could not do something on offense, and on protection, its 249 speeding yards allowed had been essentially the most at residence by the Steelers since they began taking part in at Acrisure Stadium.
Whereas they will regain first place within the AFC North with a win subsequent weak in Baltimore, many Steelers followers have already resigned themselves to the truth that there’s an excellent probability that the present staff will not be capable to put an finish to the franchise’s drought with out a playoff win, which presently stands at eight years. If that occurs, it might be the fifteenth time in Tomlin’s 19 years that the Steelers had been unable to win a playoff recreation.
Poor quarterback selections is without doubt one of the important causes for the Steelers’ present playoff drought. Pittsburgh’s incapability to search out Ben Roethlisberger‘s successor has largely contributed to some proficient groups not getting so far as they may in the end go. It is a large purpose why T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick by no means received a playoff recreation as teammates.
Tomlin is taken into account a future Corridor of Famer, and for good purpose. He is by no means had a dropping season as a head coach, has received a Tremendous Bowl, gone to a different and has presided over seven division championships. And whereas his groups have at instances underachieved, he has performed a few of his finest work with groups that many had left for useless at about this level within the season.
Given his stature within the recreation, his want to persevering with teaching, and the truth that he nonetheless has over two years remaining on his present contract, the percentages of the Steelers and Tomlin parting methods after this season are slim to none. However whereas which may be true, it is clear that Pittsburgh followers are working out of persistence.
