The Pittsburgh Steelers playoff chances have plummeted after an 0-3 start in 2019. Here’s what they can still do to make the tournament.
The Steelers dropped their third straight game of the 2019 season and sit on a rather unimpressive 0-3 record. While history would indicate that there is very little hope for Pittsburgh this season, nothing is set in stone just yet.
According to a study from Joe Osborne of Odds Shark, just 6 of 176 teams to start 0-3 since 1980 have made the playoffs.
This is a remarkably low number – just 3.4 percent. However, the Houston Texans were able to pull this off just last year. After losing their first three games against the Patriots, Titans, and Giants, they were able to rally on a 9-game win streak. They ultimately won the division with an 11-5 record.
Though this is an extreme outlier and should not be used as a benchmark for Pittsburgh, there is still a glimmer of hope for Steelers fans.
The Patriots, Seahawks, and 49ers, have now combined for an 8-1 record through the first three weeks, so Pittsburgh has likely faced some of the most difficult opponents they will see all year.
The Steelers still have two games against the Bengals, and games against the Dolphins, Cardinals, and Jets this year. They can ill afford to lose any of these contests.
At the same time, Pittsburgh must steal a few games against teams that they will be expected to lose to. Some of these games include the Ravens (twice), Rams, and Chargers. Here is a look at every game coming up this year.
In reality, the Steelers can likely afford, at most, 3 losses in their last 13 games. This would give them a 10-6 record and a real shot at a wildcard spot or possibly winning their division (if they take care of all of their games against the Ravens and Browns).
Even with Ben Roethlisberger on the field, Mike Tomlin’s team is known for slow starts. In fact the Steelers started just 1-2-1 last season before hitting their stride on a 6-game win streak.
No, it certainly isn’t likely that the Steelers will make the playoffs in 2019. But stanger things have happened. For now, let’s just take it a game at a time. The Steelers get two straight home games against the Bengals and Ravens. If they can close out victories in both contests, perhaps we will be back in business.