NFL analyst emphasizes Mike Tomlin's Steelers' need for a successful playoff run
Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night in Baltimore in the wildcard round of the playoffs. This will also be the third time this season the two AFC North teams meet, with each team winning a game so far.
Many Steelers players and potentially coaches/brass members could be playing for their jobs this Saturday night, most notably head coach Mike Tomlin.
Tomlin has been an amazing coach for the Steelers, posting a 183-107-2 record while never suffering a losing season. He also has a Super Bowl victory. Despite his success, the Steelers haven't won a playoff game since the 2016 season.
NFL analyst Peter Schrager emphasized how important a win this Saturday is for Tomlin and his future as the Steelers' head coach:
"Look at the Pittsburgh situation, four losses in a row, they haven't won a playoff game since 2016. They are 0-8 in their last eight playoff games, I did the math today, I went through the last time they won a playoff game was in Kansas City in the divisional round on a Sunday night.
"Steelers fans have a different standard, Steelers fans have a different level of expecations. If it's one and done again for Mike Tomlin and the wildcard round, I think there's going to be a lot of people and Steelers fans and Steelers media that are very upset with how the season went."
A win Saturday night is equally important for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson
While a win Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens is super critical for Mike Tomlins' future in Pittsburgh, the same can be said for quarterback Russell Wilson.
The Steelers signed Wilson and acquired quarterback Justin Fields last offseason, with both set to become free agents at the end of the season. Fields started the season for the Steelers before Wilson took over once healthy.
Wilson went 6-5 as a starting quarterback and completed 63.7% of passes for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 games played.
Wilson played good enough to lead the Steelers to the playoffs but will he play good enough to earn Pittsburgh its first playoff win in eight years? If so, the Steelers could think twice about bringing him back next season, even if it is just on another one-year deal.