Steelers are getting the "Dickens" beat out of them due to "A Tale of Two Tomlins"
By Cory Rogers
2021: Steelers fade late before one last Big Ben rally to get to playoffs
The Steelers' season again started with much promise, as they shocked the Buffalo Bills, 23-16, on the road in the season-opener. But the annual three-game losing streak came early, as Pittsburgh followed with home losses to the Raiders (26-17) and Bengals (24-10) before falling at Green Bay (27-17).
After defeating the visiting Chicago Bears (3-5), 29-27, on Monday Night Football, the Steelers had won four in a row to improve to 5-3 overall on Nov. 8. But once again, the bottom fell out around the holidays, as Pittsburgh won just two of its next seven games to sit a 7-7-1 overall on Dec. 26.
Seeing his career coming to an end, Roethlisberger rallied the Steelers to the playoffs one last time, helping Pittsburgh take a 26-14 win over rival Cleveland (7-8) on Jan. 3 in what proved to be his final home appearance. Big Ben followed that up with a solid outing in the season finale, defeating rival Baltimore (8-8) on the road, 16-13, in overtime.
The Steelers (9-7-1) would finish a half-game out of a first place tie for the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals (10-7), but made the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh had to travel to defending AFC Champion Kansas City (12-5) in the first round of the playoffs. The Chiefs won, 42-21, to advance, and end the Steelers' season (and Roethlisberger's fine career).