In the Steelers’ Week 13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, starting Quarterback Kenny Pickett took a big hit. This hit has caused the Steelers starting Quarterback to undergo ankle surgery the following day. Now the question for this team is: Where do we go from here? Is there a chance we still make the playoffs?
Well, fans have potentially seen the answer. Thursday night was an equally brutal performance on all fronts for the Steelers. They had lost to the abysmal New England Patriots 21-18 in a game that was not remotely close until the fourth quarter. At the time, the Patriots were 2-10, one of the worst records in the league. Backup QB Bailey Zappe looked like prime Tom Brady against the Pittsburgh defense.
Steelers backup Quarterback Mitch Trubisky had a subpar game under center by league standards today. Trubisky went 22/35 with 190 yards, one touchdown and one interception through the air. He did, however, lead the team in rushing yards with thirty on eight attempts. Decent for a quarterback, but still well below league standards for the running backs on the roster in general.
To make the playoffs, the Steelers would have to win out the rest of their games for the regular season to even have a chance to keep their Wild Card spot. Next, Pittsburgh plays the Indianapolis Colts, who have been without star rookie QB Anthony Richardson after being hurt midseason. After Indy, they face the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been without superstar quarterback Joe Burrow for weeks now. The Steelers were able to beat them on November 26th though. On New Year’s Eve, the Steelers go up against a subpar team in the Seattle Seahawks. The last game of the regular season is when Pickett returns, and it is up against the division leading Baltimore Ravens.
While there is hope we win out this is going to be highly unlikely. Quarterback play has been uncertain from both QBs all season, but Trubisky has been a career journeyman and has not found his stride since he left the Chicago Bears years ago. He also threw an interception more recently than Kenny Pickett, who had not thrown an interception in eight games.
Do the Steelers make the playoffs? No. There is no way we can win out and barring any miracles, have teams fall out of the playoff picture. There is cautious optimism, but I do not see it happening. This will be Mike Tomlin’s first career losing season.