The Pittsburgh Steelers’ hopes for a deep playoff run were dashed on Saturday night as they fell to their archrivals, the Baltimore Ravens, in a 28-14 defeat. This loss marked the culmination of a disappointing end to the season, with the Steelers finishing with five consecutive losses and missing the playoffs in a humbling fashion.
Head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his disappointment following the game, emphasizing that the playoffs are a different challenge than the regular season. “I’m worried less about the regular season,” Tomlin said. “In the single-elimination tournament, I’m really just disappointed in how we performed tonight, given the opportunity we had.” Despite the Steelers’ formidable defense, which had been a strength throughout the season, they struggled against the Ravens’ offensive onslaught, allowing star running back Derrick Henry to rush for 186 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Lamar Jackson contributed with 81 rushing yards and two passing touchdowns.
The Steelers were unable to generate any turnovers, leaving their offense in a difficult position throughout the game. Quarterback Russell Wilson noted the team’s perseverance despite the odds. “The best part about the game is the guys didn’t give up,” he said. “In the National Football League sometimes guys check out. We didn’t.” However, the Steelers’ inability to score points proved critical, as they fell short of capitalizing on their opportunities. Tomlin lamented, “In January football, man, you got to score points, and we weren’t able to do that.”
Pittsburgh’s season had begun promisingly, with a 10-3 record and a lead in the AFC North as of December 8. However, the team’s fortunes took a downward turn, culminating in a streak of losses that included defeats to the Ravens, Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Cincinnati. The Steelers have now lost six consecutive postseason games since their last playoff victory in January 2017, and Tomlin is still in search of his first Super Bowl win since the 2008 season. Reflecting on the season’s end, Tomlin stated, “Those are my bags, not their bags. The journey that we were on certainly came to a disappointing end tonight.” As the team looks ahead, Wilson expressed hope for the future, stating, “I hope I’m here. It gave me so much joy being here. I love black and gold.”
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