The Pittsburgh Steelers advance to 10-0 on the season after a win over the Jaguars, but here’s why they must continue their hot streak.
What’s not to like about the way the Steelers have played so far in the 2020 season? Their offense is much improved from one of the worst units in the league just a season ago, and their defense is firing on all cylinders. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11, Pittsburgh may not have been perfect, but they were still good enough to put a 27-3 pounding on their opponent.
You would think that a 10-0 start to the season would lend the Steelers a little breathing room in the AFC playoff picture. Unfortunately, that’s not the case at all. While Pittsburgh’s record remains spotless, the Kansas City Chiefs are nipping at their heels – trying to claw their way back up to the number one seed.
On Sunday Night Football, the Chiefs faced the Raiders in a game that came down to the wire. Sadly, Patrick Mahomes threw a touchdown pass with just 28 seconds remaining to seal the deal. As a result, Kansas City has advanced to 9-1 on the year.
Steelers must keep winning
It seems like a cliche to say that an NFL team ‘must keep winning,’ but this couldn’t be any more true for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While they no doubt already have a playoff spot locked up this year (especially with 7 teams now making the tournament from each conference). However, with just one team earning a first-round bye, the number one seed has never been more important than it is right now.
Losing to a divisional opponent like the Baltimore Ravens this week could be crucial to their standings by the end of the season. Ideally, we would like to see Pittsburgh finish with the best record in the AFC – maybe even have a game to rest some players in the last contest of the season against the Clevland Browns. However, it doesn’t appear that it is going to work out that way.
There is hope for Pittsburgh
Fortunately, Pittsburgh may not have to be perfect on the season to lock down the number one seed in the AFC. The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Raiders in their first contest this season. Because this was both a conference game and a divisional game, a loss outside of the division or conference for the Steelers wouldn’t necessarily hurt them in the standings.
Additionally, the Chiefs appear to have a much tougher stretch of games than Pittsburgh to close out the season. They must still face teams like the Buccaneers (7-3), Dolphins (6-4), and Saints (8-2). If the Steelers lose just one of their last 6 games and the Chiefs can lose one of these three contests, Pittsburgh will still end up with the top seed in the AFC and a first-round bye.
We all know the Steelers were robbed of their original midseason bye after their game against the Titans was forced to be postponed. They have a chance to secure the greatest bye of all, and the only thing they have to do is keep the Chiefs off their heels for six more games.