Mike Tomlin wasn't able to kick the narrative about his abysmal track record on road Thursday Night Football games. In Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach kept his disappointing streak going in a 33-31 loss. Tomlin now has a pitiful 2-9 record in road TNF games (0-7 against AFC North opponents in this setting).
Thankfully, Tomlin could make up for his Thursday Night Football blunder thanks to a strong record after a mini-bye.
While the Steelers have already had their bye week, Pittsburgh is entering what many in the industry label as a 'mini-bye'—a ten-day period of rest and preparation between Thursday Night Football and the team's next game the following Sunday.
Tomlin has an impressive record of 14-6 following TNF games. However, the Steelers' head coach has been even better after his team lost on Thursday Night Football. In mini-byes after a TNF loss, Tomlin's teams have rebounded with an impressive 7-2 record.
Mike Tomlin's mini-bye stat offers hope ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers' SNF matchup vs. the Green Bay Packers
Last year, Tomlin responded to an ugly TNF loss against the Cleveland Browns with a 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. In fact, the last six times the Pittsburgh Steelers have lost on Thursday Night Football since 2014, Tomlin's teams have bounced back the following week to earn a 5-1 record in this setting.
This is exactly the type of statistic Steelers fans needed to see after a dismal showing—especially when you consider the daunting opponent they are facing next.
Pittsburgh is getting set to host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. The Packers are 4-1-1 and considered by many NFL experts to be one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. Not only do the Packers lack holes on their team, but they now have Micah Parsons, who could prove to be detrimental to the Steelers' chances in Week 8.
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If the Aaron Rodgers revenge game wasn't enough incentive to upset the Packers this week, the Pittsburgh Steelers have all the motivation they need. T.J. Watt and the underwhelming defense have been ridiculed since the loss about being overpaid.
This team will be out to prove themselves with all eyes watching on Sunday Night Football—Rodgers wants revenge, the defense wants a shot at redemption, and Tomlin wants to silence critics. These key factors, in addition to Tomlin's outstanding track record after a TNF loss, could be enough to rebound in Week 8.
At the very least, you can bet Mike Tomlin's team won't look as unprepared as they did against the Bengals.