Steelers set new modern record: “Five seasons without a playoff victory”


Are we headed back to the Buddy Parker days?


… ominous future or is it the "standard"?


The Post-Gazette, usually a paper that papers over the weaknesses of their NFL team, was blunt in its assessment. 


The Steelers have now set a record, albeit an ominous one,


The Steelers have now gone five seasons without a playoff victory. That’s the longest stretch between postseason victories since the NFL-AFL merger.


The Steelers had gone four seasons between playoff wins a couple of times since 1970, but they’ve now reached uncharted waters during the Super Bowl era.


The Steelers have been one-and-done in their past three playoff appearances, losing to the Jaguars in the divisional round in 2017 and to the Browns and Chiefs in the wild card round the past two seasons. They missed the playoffs in 2018 and 2019.


Ray Fittipaldo, “Steelers' playoff-win drought is entering unchartered 

territory,” Post-Gazette, January 17, 2022


Problem: Tomlin for life


The difficulty is that the Steelers are much worse than their record indicates. The only thing that saved them was Covid, Ravens style, and the woeful Baker Mayfield. 


Look at the losses that they have suffered in the playoffs, and you realize that the meme that Mike Tomlin has not had a losing season is a fairy tale,


In their past three playoff defeats they have given up 48, 45 and 42 points. Throw in the 36-17 loss to the Patriots in the 2016 AFC championship game, and the Steelers have given up an average of 43 points per game in their past four playoff games.


And now there is even more uncertainty beyond the playoff flameouts. There are personnel matters that could drastically change how the defense will look next season. There are 18 players on this team that will become unrestricted free agents in March, including four that started Sunday night.


Ray Fittipaldo, “Steelers' playoff-win drought is entering unchartered territory,” 

Post-Gazette, January 17, 2022


The Steelers have a talent-deficit, and it starts at the top. Art Rooney II is no Dan Rooney, and Mike Tomlin is no Chuck Noll. 


Now, we have Tomlin for life unless the investors in the Steeler organization do something about it. 


And that starts with a new CEO. Keep AR II as board chair since that means little, but bring in someone who can clean house. 


Fairy Tale?


Yep. I will never see another coach in my lifetime — unless I live longer than I think I will. 


QB not the major issue


The problem is not just the quarterback. Roethlisberger piles up huge numbers, but now many playoff wins. 


Would the Steelers have been better this year if they had played Mason Rudolph? 


Who knows, but I doubt that they would have been worse. 


Their defense is horrible, and only a complete collapse by the Colts, Ravens, and Browns allowed them into the playoffs — where they embarrassed themselves — again. 


Most Steeler fans do not remember Buddy Parker, but I do. The only thing that happened was that the beloved owner, Art Rooney, Sr., turned over the operations of the team to his son in the late 1960s, and Chuck Noll and a great drafting group led to four Super Bowls in six years. 


That is more than 50 years ago, but it is time for a re-do. 




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