The Pittsburgh Steelers are leading the AFC North through week 13 after many preseason analysts projected the Steelers to finish last in the division.
The season started off the year with three wins and a bright future ahead, and after dropping two games to the Colts and Cowboys, they got right back on track and have won six more games with only one loss to the Browns. Currently atop the division, the Steelers’ playoff hopes are almost certain and another winning season has been secured by Coach Tomlin. All of this looks great on the surface, but is Pittsburgh going to be able to perform in the playoffs when it matters most.
Five games remain for the Steelers this season highlighted by the Chiefs, Eagles, and Ravens who have all been putting up good seasons with many notable wins. Many fans speculate that these last games will reveal if the team has what it takes going up against names such as Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley. If the Steelers can prove that they’re the real deal, anything is possible for the rest of the season; it makes fans wonder if they have a chance at a seventh ring.
However, there have been many games where it seems the team cannot get their offense moving. The defense has bailed them out multiple times this season with the leadership from T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Not to mention, Chris Boswell has been the best kicker in the NFL this season and even won the season opener by kicking 6 field goals against the Atlanta Falcons. Boswell and the defense won’t be able to bail the team out once the playoffs begin and the Steelers are competing against quality teams, unless the offense figures out how to show up every game.
Many Steelers fans at Lower Dauphin have had interesting things to say about how the season has gone and what is to come in the future. Junior Ethan Tanner had some artistic words to say about whether or not the Steelers are contenders or pretenders; he says, “The Steelers stand tall with grit and might, their defense fierce, and impressive sight. Proving they’re contenders, right till the end.” Another student, sophomore Sadie Borrelli, says, “The Steelers are a really entertaining team to watch and I think they can be solid contenders.”
Only five weeks remain in the NFL season and all that Steelers fans can do now is wait and see if anything good comes out of this long awaited productive offense. If not, their season may be in shambles before they can even dream about the Super Bowl.
