There’s something to be said about leaving food on the table — especially when your fanbase has been starving. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns wasn’t just another loss. It was a missed opportunity that felt heavier than the final score, heavier than the standings, and heavier than the excuses that followed.
Steelers fans have heard the promises all season. They’ve endured the inconsistency, the injuries, the uneven offense, and the weekly reminders that 'the standard is the standard.' But with a chance to clinch a postseason berth outright, Pittsburgh simply had to beat a division rival.
Instead, they wet the bed in horrific fashion. The result left players visibly frustrated, coaches squarely back on the hot seat, and a fanbase in full uproar.
The mission couldn’t have been clearer for Mike Tomlin’s group walking into Sunday afternoon. With one eye on the Baltimore Ravens’ result, Pittsburgh knew they controlled their own destiny. Win, and the ticket to the postseason was punched. Lose, and chaos followed.
At worst, the Steelers figured they’d still have a chance against a rookie quarterback in Week 18. Surely, this was manageable — especially coming off a stout performance against the Detroit Lions just a week prior.
But nothing about Week 17 was simple.
Injuries and suspensions stripped Aaron Rodgers of nearly every reliable weapon at his disposal. DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Darnell Washington were all unavailable, forcing offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to lean on veterans like Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
While serviceable names, it was a stale recipe that never threatened to overwhelm Cleveland’s defense. Pittsburgh’s offensive limitations became glaring, and points were painfully hard to come by.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 17 failure makes clinching the postseason harder
Two missed Chris Boswell field goals loomed large, keeping the Steelers stuck at three points until the fourth quarter. For a team with so little margin for error, those misses felt like daggers. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s offense — led by rookie Shedeur Sanders — did exactly what Pittsburgh hoped it wouldn’t.
Sanders looked composed, confident, and in control. His efficient first half gave the Browns a lead at halftime and put pressure squarely on a Steelers offense that was already gasping for air.
To the defense’s credit, mistakes by Sanders — including two interceptions — opened the door late. Trailing 10-6 with under three minutes remaining, Pittsburgh still had a chance to redeem the afternoon. This was the moment: win the division, save the season, and quiet the noise.
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Instead, it unraveled.
The final drive was a mess of questionable play-calling and visible hesitation. Rodgers looked less concerned with pushing the ball downfield and more focused on avoiding becoming Myles Garrett’s next sack-record highlight. The urgency never materialized. The confidence never surfaced. And just like that, the door slammed shut.
It was a masterclass defeat for a franchise that entered the game with no wiggle room. Pittsburgh allowed a rookie quarterback to manage the game, let absences dictate identity, and failed to rise when it mattered most. The loss was tough to swallow — and it’ll be even tougher if Week 18 doesn’t break their way.
Now, the Steelers face the hardest path possible: beat the Baltimore Ravens to clinch the AFC North. It’s daunting. It’s unforgiving. And somehow, it’s exactly the path Mike Tomlin and this team seem to embrace — whether fans have the stomach for it or not.