Over the first six weeks of the NFL season, everything aligned for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow both got hurt, crippling the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. The Cleveland Browns remained terrible, allowing the Steelers to surge to the top of the AFC North.
The Steelers took full advantage, winning four of their first five games. Meanwhile, the Ravens lost five of their first six, getting off to their worst start in a decade.
After Week 6, Pittsburgh had already built a 2.5-game lead in the AFC North and appeared poised to run away with the division.
Since then, the Steelers have collapsed, losing four of their last six games and falling out of the playoff picture, at least temporarily. They’ve allowed Baltimore to catch them in the standings and have lost their grip on the division, perhaps for good.
“I do think they squandered a golden opportunity,” Nick Wright said Monday on “First Things First.” “The fact that the Ravens have caught them before they’ve even played them is crazy…I’m ready to write off the Steelers’ season.”
Story continues below advertisement
Pittsburgh still has time to turn things around, but it won’t be easy. Four of its final six games are against teams with winning records, including two games against Baltimore that may decide the division.
The Steelers are also dealing with their own issues now, including a porous defense and a banged-up Aaron Rodgers. The George Pickens trade has turned out to be a disaster, and they have very little margin for error down the stretch.
Story continues below advertisement
Pittsburgh should be in the driver’s seat in the AFC North. Instead, it now finds itself in another footrace with the Ravens, which it lost last year and doesn’t seem equipped to win.
More Steelers: Mike Tomlin Shares ‘Great Optimisim’ On Aaron Rodgers’ Status For Steelers In Week 13
Story continues below advertisement
Featured image via Katie Stratman/Imagn Images