Simple reason lack of home games will hurt Steelers down stretch

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer as a stadium staff member waves a Terrible Towel flag during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jaguars defeat Pittsburgh 45-42. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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Nov 10, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans react during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Steelers fans will not be able to inspire as we have traditionally done

Let me share this story with you. In 2013, I took my then fifteen-year-old son to see the Steelers play the Detroit Lions. It was the first time I and he had been in attendance for a Steelers game. The Steelers jumped out to a 17-3 lead, then surrendered 24 points.

All I could think about at halftime was this: We did not drive from the eastern portion of Pennsylvania to watch the Steelers lose AT HOME. How was I going to console my son on the six-hour drive home when I would be inconsolable myself? Fortunately, we won the game so all was right in the world.

The point is this: Steelers fans have always inspired the team to come from behind or to make a big play to seal a win or to get that last first down to run out the clock. That inspiration is lessened on the road, but more so now because of capacity restrictions.

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While I will not predict wins and losses for the rest of the year, I will predict that we will probably lose a few games we may have otherwise won because of nothing else than a potential void of Steelers fans at road games. Those losses will hurt us, particularly any Conference or Division loss we suffer as a result of playing six road games for the rest of the season.