The Pittsburgh Steelers are staring down a tough December, and with a 6-6 record heading into the final five games, one of the NFL’s most remarkable coaching streaks is officially on the ropes.
We’re talking about Mike Tomlin’s run of 18 straight seasons without a losing record - a feat that’s been as much a part of Steelers football as the Terrible Towel. Since taking over in 2007, Tomlin has never coached a team to fewer than eight wins.
That kind of consistency, especially in today’s NFL, is rare air. The only longer streak belongs to Cowboys legend Tom Landry, who went 21 seasons without dipping below .500.
But Tomlin’s 18-year run to start a career? That’s in a league of its own.
Now, with five games to play and a razor-thin margin for error, Pittsburgh needs to go at least 3-2 the rest of the way to keep that streak alive. And the road ahead? It’s anything but smooth.
Here’s what the Steelers are up against:
- Week 14: at Baltimore Ravens
- **Week 15: vs.
Miami Dolphins**
- Week 16: at Detroit Lions
- Week 17: at Cleveland Browns
- **Week 18: vs.
Baltimore Ravens**
That’s three road games, two division matchups, and a pair of showdowns against teams with playoff aspirations. Let’s break it down.
Baltimore Bookends
The Steelers open and close their final stretch with games against the Ravens. The first is in Baltimore - never an easy place to play - and the finale is at home.
Division games are always unpredictable, and while the Ravens haven’t been invincible this year, they’re still a physical, well-coached team that knows how to win ugly. Pittsburgh will likely be underdogs in both matchups, and unless they can find some offensive rhythm, these could be uphill battles.
A Trip to Detroit
Week 16 brings a visit to Detroit, and while the Lions have had their ups and downs this season, Ford Field has become a tough place to steal a win. The Lions' offense can be explosive, and if Pittsburgh’s defense isn’t firing on all cylinders, this one could get away from them quickly. Add in the travel and the timing - late December, when playoff implications are heating up - and this is arguably the toughest game left on the slate.
Dolphins in the Cold
The Dolphins come to town in Week 15, and while Miami’s season started rocky, they’ve found their footing. November was kind to them - they went 3-0, including a win over the same Buffalo team that just handled the Steelers.
Mike McDaniel’s offense is starting to click again, and even though the game is in Pittsburgh, the Dolphins are no longer the soft opponent they looked like earlier in the year. This one could go either way, but it’s going to take a complete performance from the Steelers.
The Wild Card: Cleveland
Then there’s Cleveland in Week 17. On paper, this might look like the most winnable game left.
But it’s a road game in the AFC North, and those are never easy. The Steelers already beat the Browns once this season, but that was with rookie Dillon Gabriel at quarterback.
This time, Cleveland is expected to start Shedeur Sanders, who’s looked more poised and capable in recent weeks. Pittsburgh’s defense will need to make life difficult for the young QB again, but don’t expect a cakewalk.
So What Are the Odds?
To avoid Tomlin’s first losing season, the Steelers need to go 3-2. That means stealing a win or two as underdogs and taking care of business in the games they should win - if such a thing exists in the AFC North.
The margin for error is slim. The offense has been inconsistent, the quarterback play has been shaky, and the defense, while still capable of big plays, has had to shoulder a heavy load.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned over nearly two decades of Mike Tomlin football, it’s that his teams don’t quit. They scrap, they claw, and they usually find a way to stay in the fight.
Still, this is one of the more daunting stretches the Steelers have faced in recent memory. Every game from here on out is a playoff game in disguise - not just for their postseason hopes, but for the preservation of a streak that’s become part of the franchise’s identity.
If Pittsburgh can go 3-2, Tomlin’s remarkable run lives to see another year. If not, one of the NFL’s most resilient records may finally come to an end.