Throughout history, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been known for their toughness and their ability to play through the elements. We've seen these hard-nosed players take the field in frigid conditions, completely unfazed by the bitter-cold temperatures late in the season.
But in recent years, the Steelers haven't found the success they once did in December.
For most good franchises, December is the month to put inferior opponents out of their misery and secure a top seed in the playoffs with a strong finish. Sadly, that hasn't been the case for the Steelers.
Not all December games are a struggle for Mike Tomlin's team, but there appears to be a correlation between the weather and Pittsburgh's record late in the season. Over the past six years, the Steelers have been mediocre in December.
Steelers' record in December since 2019:
- Record: 13-12
- In Northern locations: 7-9
- In Southern locations in domes: 6-3
Including the two games December games the Steelers have played so far in 2024, this team has an underwhelming record of 13-12 in December since the 2019 season. However, when playing in northern locations in December, Tomlin's record drops to a 43.75 percent win rate with a 7-9 record. Interestingly, during the exact same stretch, the Steelers are 6-3 when playing in southern locations or domes.
This six-year sample would suggest that Pittsburgh has less than a coin-flip chance of winning a cold-weather game in December. But there are plenty of other variables that must be considered.
For starters, this Steelers team has looked different over the years. Perhaps the biggest reason for their unimpressive record late in the season is the subpar quarterback play Pittsburgh received during this stretch. The roster has also gotten stronger since Omar Khan and Andy Weidl took over the front office.
The strength of the schedule also comes into play. Some of the southern or dome teams they've played over the years may not have been as formidable as many of the northern teams on their schedule. Divisional games were also mixed in, which tend to be hard-fought battles that can go either way.
This doesn't excuse Pittsburgh's mediocrity in the home stretch of the season, but it's important to consider every variable.
Ironically, the Steelers don't have a single playoff win during this stretch and are 0-3 in northern locations in the postseason since 2019 after cooling off in December. With a new-look roster and a team that inspires more hope than we have seen in years, Pittsburgh has a chance to put these mediocre cold-weather performances behind them.
Let's hope they have better success in this critical month in the future.