The last calendar year has been a rough one for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After starting last season 10-3, the Steelers collapsed down the stretch, losing their final four regular-season games. They also blew their division lead over the Baltimore Ravens, who destroyed them in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
Pittsburgh fell apart on both sides of the ball, averaging just 14.2 points per game on offense over those five losses while allowing 27.4 points per game.
Unfortunately for the Steelers, that poor finish has carried over into this season. Their 6-6 record is deceptive, as they still have one of the worst offenses and defenses in the NFL.
Pittsburgh ranks 27th in offensive yards per game and 28th in defensive yards per game. The Steelers struggle to move the ball, and their defense hasn’t been able to stop anybody.
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After losing five of its last seven games, Pittsburgh is now 6-11 over its last 17 games — the equivalent of a full NFL season. During that time, the Steelers have had the league’s worst yardage differential, getting outgained by 1,672 yards during that time — nearly 100 yards per game.
Pittsburgh has a tough schedule to close out the season, so it’s hard to imagine things getting much better. Aaron Rodgers just turned 42, is dealing with multiple injuries and has looked like a shell of himself recently, so the offense will likely continue to sputter. Meanwhile, the defense has been getting gashed on a weekly basis and has shown no signs of life in over a year.
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If this is how the Mike Tomlin era ends, it isn’t pretty.
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Featured image via Amber Searls/Imagn Images