Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin Secures 18th-Consecutive Non-Losing Season As Steelers Tie NFL Record

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Mike Tomlin and the Steelers had a rather impressive response to their Week 12 upset loss to the Browns. Pittsburgh defeated Cincinnati by a score of 44-38, making for a surprising shootout. The Steelers finished the game with a whopping 520 total yards of offense, their highest yardage total in a regular season game since 2018. Russell Wilson also had his most productive day as a Steeler, throwing for 414 yards and three touchdowns. The win moves Pittsburgh to a record of 9-3, their best record through 12 games since the 2020 season.

The Steelers’ Sunday got even better once the late window games had finished. Baltimore’s 24-19 defeat to Philadelphia increased Pittsburgh’s lead in the AFC North 1.5 games. The Steelers play the Browns (again) in Week 14 while the Ravens are on bye, giving the Black and Gold a great opportunity to cushion their lead with just five weeks remaining in the season.

Mike Tomlin Leads The Team To Another Non-Losing Season

Jan 6, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin call time out during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Jan 6, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin call time out during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
In addition to the inflated box score, the victory marked yet another important achievement in Mike Tomlin’s legendary career. Tomlin earned his 18th straight non-losing season, a streak that dates all the way back to his first season with the team back in 2007.

Tomlin is frequently scrutinized for the Steelers’ lack of playoff success in recent years. While these criticisms are valid, they should not completely overshadow how impressive Tomlin’s tenure in Pittsburgh has been. Only Tom Landry’s Cowboys (21) and Bill Belichick’s Patriots (19) have had more consecutive non-losing seasons than Mike Tomlin’s Steelers have now.

Oct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during the second quarter against the New York Giants at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Oct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during the second quarter against the New York Giants at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Before the season began, many prominent figures in sports media, such as Colin Cowherd and Stephen A. Smith, had predicted that Tomlin was likely to face his first-ever losing season due to the team’s brutal schedule and uncertainty at the quarterback position. Oddsmakers were equally as pessimistic, favoring the Steelers to finish last in their division—something that hasn’t happened since 1988.

Pittsburgh managed to exceed expectations by quite a large margin, surpassing their 8.5 win over/under in Week 13. The Steelers’ surprising season has been sparked by one of Mike Tomlin’s best years from a coaching perspective. It was Tomlin’s decision to make a QB change from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson, despite the fact that Fields had gone 4-2 as a starter. Although Tomlin’s choice was questioned by fans and media alike, it has now been proven as the right choice. As of right now, Tomlin has the third-best odds to win the AP Coach of the Year Award according to FanDuel, behind Dan Campbell and Kevin O’Connell. He has undoubtedly quieted any calls for his job if nothing else.

Pittsburgh Ties An NFL Record

Dallas Cowboys, Jourdan Lewis
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) breaks a tackle by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The Steelers’ current streak of consecutive seasons at .500 or better extends beyond Mike Tomlin’s 18-year tenure. Pittsburgh has not had a losing season since they went 6-10 in 2003 (the year before they drafted Ben Roethlisberger). That gives them 21 consecutive non-losing seasons dating from 2004 to 2024—a mark that equals the Cowboys’ streak from 1965 to 1985.

Tomlin and the Steelers will have a solid opportunity to accomplish more before the season is over. They are currently favored to win the AFC North in what would be their first division title in four years. Pittsburgh will also have a great deal of pressure to end their current seven-year drought without a playoff win.

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