The Pittsburgh Steelers walked into Detroit as underdogs and walked out with a 29-24 win that was as gritty as it was important - but don’t expect Mike Tomlin to throw a party over it.
In typical Tomlin fashion, the head coach wasn’t interested in basking in the glow of a hard-fought Week 16 victory. Instead, he focused on what’s next. And given the stakes, it’s easy to see why.
“They stormed and fought. We knew they would,” Tomlin said after the game.
“We knew what type of game we were coming into, the gravity of it, the venue. And, kudos to their fans, man.
This a tough place to play, but I'm just thankful of the fight and the win, and we'll keep pushing, because that's what you got to do this time of year. Win or lose, you got to keep pushing and we will.
We're coming in tomorrow to watch the tape. We ain't got time for victory Mondays.
And that's what I told the team.”
That mindset - grounded, focused, and relentlessly forward-looking - has become a hallmark of Tomlin’s tenure. And it’s helped the Steelers hit a milestone that speaks volumes about the culture he’s built.
With the win, Pittsburgh improved to 9-6 and Tomlin locked in his 19th consecutive non-losing season as a head coach - a streak that’s not just impressive, it’s historic. No other coach in NFL history has started their career with such sustained consistency. And the franchise itself now holds the longest streak of non-losing seasons in league history, 22 straight, surpassing the legendary Tom Landry’s Dallas Cowboys.
But if you’re looking for Tomlin to reflect on that achievement, you’ll be waiting a while. That’s not where his head is - not with this team still chasing a division title and a playoff spot that’s anything but guaranteed.
The Steelers entered Week 16 leading the AFC North, but the margin is razor-thin. The path to the postseason is clear: win the division, or go home.
There’s no wild card cushion here. And after Baltimore’s loss to New England, the door is wide open for Pittsburgh to seal the deal in Week 17.
A win over Cleveland, or a Ravens loss to Green Bay, would clinch the AFC North.
Sunday’s win in Detroit didn’t come easy. The Lions brought the physicality and emotion you’d expect from a team fighting for playoff position in front of a raucous home crowd.
The game was a back-and-forth battle, a true test of mettle - and Pittsburgh passed, just barely. But in December, it’s not about style points.
It’s about survival.
That’s why Tomlin isn’t interested in celebrating streaks or history. He knows exactly what’s on the line.
Every snap from here on out matters. The margin for error is gone.
And with two games left, the Steelers are in control of their fate - but only if they keep pushing.
So no, there’s no time for a victory lap. Not yet.
The mission isn’t complete. And if Tomlin’s message to his team is any indication, the Steelers are treating this like a playoff run that’s already begun.