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What do the Pittsburgh Steelers need to do to win the AFC North? What are the biggest ways they need to improve heading into the 2024 playoffs? RotoBaller breaks it down.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a successful 2024 season thus far and currently sit atop the AFC North with a 10-4 record. While the team has already clinched a playoff spot, winning their division, as well as getting the highest possible seeding for the playoffs is their top priority.
Pittsburgh squares off on Saturday against the rival Baltimore Ravens in a pivotal matchup in what could be for the division. The Steelers are into their brutal stretch of the schedule where they just played the Philadelphia Eagles and now face the Ravens on a short week before turning around and having to play the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. That's three games in just 10 days! Sheesh.
While the Steelers' season has undoubtedly been a good one, finishing the season strong, especially over the final stretch of the season is important. Here are five ways that Pittsburgh must improve down the stretch as they head into the AFC Playoffs.
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Finding More of A Passing Attack Outside of George Pickens
This one is pretty obvious to just about all Steelers fans and anyone who has watched Pittsburgh every week, but the team needs another reliable weapon in the passing game outside of wide receiver George Pickens, who has already been ruled out for Week 16 with a hamstring injury. Somebody else needs to step up.
Good Morning Steeler nation
Fun Fact
The Steelers are (3rd) in total offense in the league when George Pickens has played this year
And and is ranked (32) when he isn’t playing pic.twitter.com/gV7qMAa8mg
— OgnBurgh (@scottiloss) December 18, 2024
Rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson, a third-round pick in 2024, was expected to be a guy who could step in and contribute, but injuries have derailed his season, and he's on injured reserve. Veteran wide receiver Mike Williams, recently acquired from the New York Jets, is more of a contested catch, downfield type of player who is struggling to separate from opposing defensive backs while coming off an ACL injury.
Calvin Austin III is a speedy receiver who is averaging 16.1 yards per catch this season, but given Pickens's prowess down the field, Pittsburgh needs another player who can work the middle and shorter areas to complement their star wide receiver.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth has done a decent job this year, but the reality is the next pass catcher on the Steelers doesn't even have 500 receiving yards on the season yet, that's a problem. Quarterback Russell Wilson has done a better job throwing over the middle, but it's never been a big part of his game.
Staying Healthy
Look at you, Captain Obvious. I get it, I get it, but having to play three games over 10 days is no easy feat, and it comes at the worst possible time for the Steelers as they are trying to weather the storm from Pickens being out with an injury. Safety Deshon Elliott has been ruled out from the team's Week 16 contest as well, and star linebacker T.J. Watt has already dealt with some lingering injuries this season.
S DeShon Elliott (hamstring) has been downgraded to OUT for Saturday's game in BAL. That’s a big loss to not have Elliott for a second straight week, especially facing Derrick Henry and tight end Mark Andrews
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 20, 2024
Rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, a first-round pick in 2024, was placed on injured reserve back in September along with guard James Daniels, so the Steelers have already been dealing with their issues up front, including a lack of depth.
It's very important that Pittsburgh has all their guys healthy once the playoffs start, but the good news is there is a chance they will be able to rest everyone in Week 18 with a win against Baltimore in Week 16.
Staying Hot in the Turnover Differential Department
Pittsburgh has always been known for having a stingy defense, and this season the unit has been a takeaway machine. In 2024, the Steelers have 17 forced fumbles and 15 interceptions, and the team is tied with the Buffalo Bills at +18 for the best turnover differential in the NFL.
Pittsburgh has one of the lowest first-down rates in the league (31.6%), which is fourth best and speaks to the overall strength of the defense, but we know that turnovers can swing games.
So, what am I getting at here? In contests where they will face off against the likes of Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes over the next two weeks, any turnovers they can muster will be important. In the playoffs, continue to generate takeaways against other top-tier AFC quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and C.J. Stroud will be even more vital to advancing.
Beating the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16
This one is huge! Not only does beating the Ravens on Saturday in Week 16 greatly increase the Steelers' chances of winning the division, but it would also ensure that they get a home playoff game. While there was that magical run in 2005 when the Steelers went on the road to win three playoff games in a row before reaching the Super Bowl, that usually isn't the norm for any team. Homefield matters.
Steelers can still win the AFC North with a loss to the Ravens.
Assuming the Ravens and Steelers would win out after Saturday's game, both would end up 12-5.
You would have to go to the third tiebreaker to determine the division champ, which is common opponents. Steelers would…
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) December 18, 2024
With how banged up the team is at the moment, beating Baltimore on Saturday all but ensures they win the division and would give the team the chance to rest many of their starters in Week 18 before the playoffs begin.
Decreasing Penalties
In 2024, the Steelers are 13th in penalties (90) and are near the top of the league in false starts. While this could be seen as nitpicking, we know that the margin for error in the NFL is already slim as it is. In the playoffs against good teams, it's even thinner.
Head coach Mike Tomlin's teams are usually well-disciplined, fundamentally sound, and don't make mistakes. However, down the stretch against Baltimore, Kansas City, and a feisty Joe Burrow-led Bengals team, they will need to play at their best.
The acquisition of quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields for peanuts this past offseason was the best move that the front office made. It was pretty clear that the inconsistent and often limited play of Kenny Pickett was holding this team back, but it will be important for the Steelers to finish the season strong and continue their momentum into the playoffs.
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