Ever since Tim Tebow squashed the Pittsburgh Steelers hopes of going to two consecutive Super Bowls in 2011, the Steelers have succeeded in going 8-8 in consecutive seasons, narrowly missing the playoffs each time. These results are unacceptable for a franchise that is usually a Super Bowl contender. If the Steelers want to get back to the big game, here are four ways they can bring that goal to fruition.
Win the AFC North
Arguably the quickest path to the playoffs for any NFL team is to capture their division as division winners are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs and an automatic home game.
Unfortunately, achieving this accomplishment has eluded the Steelers for the past couple of years as they have not held the AFC North crown since 2010. In 2014, the Steelers need to come out with their best foot forward and assert their dominance in the division. If they do, the AFC North crown will be coming back to Pittsburgh and the Steelers will be one step closer to their final destination.
Defeating the Bengals, Browns, and Ravens, especially in their two head-to-head matchups with each of these teams is imperative for the Steelers to take the division.
Lose the attitude of entitlement
Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have been notorious for playing down to inferior competition and as a consequence, it has been costing the team games they should have won. Ryan Clark summed it up best after a 20-14 lost to the Browns in 2012.
“You lose one game in Pittsburgh and the sky is falling, it’s just part of the culture,” Clark said. “It’s part of winning six Super Bowls, it’s part of being 12-4 three of the last four years. We’re a spoiled bunch and overall we’ve become entitled. But you can’t be entitled, you can’t walk into places and just think because you’re the Pittsburgh Steelers you’re going to win.”
Love or hate Ryan Clark, but he hits the nail square on the head. It is this feeling of entitlement that has allowed the Steelers to come out looking flat and unprepared against teams they should have easily crushed. This attitude needs to die in the locker room fast or else the Steelers might be staring at a third straight non-playoff season.
Improve red zone scoring
At this point, saying the Steelers need to produce more touchdowns in the red zone is beating a dead horse, but it is still an issue that needs to be addressed. With the talent the Steelers have on offense, frequently settling for field goals is unacceptable. Scoring more touchdowns inside the twenties will not help the Steelers assert their will over the course of games but it will also help take pressure off of an already struggling defense.
According to teamrankings.com, five of the top ten red zone scoring teams made the playoffs last year. The Steelers on the other hand ranked 16th in the red zone, scoring a touchdown only 52.83% of the time. The Steelers are more than capable of being a top ten red zone scoring team. Reaching that marker in 2014 will go a long way into ensuring a spot in the playoffs.
Run the ball effectively
Due to a myriad of factors, most notably the lack of a cohesive offensive line, the Steelers have not been able to run the ball effectively in quite some time. In fact, it was a lack of an effective running game that helped contribute to the Steelers’ 0-4 start last season. Because the running game was a non-factor, defenses were able to pin their ears and rush the quarterback, the result of which allowed Ben Roethlsiberger to be sacked a whopping fifteen times in four games. It wasn’t until the final four weeks of the season that the Steelers managed to string together a running game and it coincided with the Steelers averaging over 28 points per game.
If Pittsburgh wants to reach the playoffs again, they need to find a way to replicate their late season rushing success. With the hiring of Hall of Fame lineman Mike Munchak to coach the offensive line and the signing of free agent running back LeGarette Blount to compliment Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers are well on their way to accomplishing that goal. An effective ground game will help take pressure off of Roethlisberger and will further ensure he his healthy to lead the Steelers to their seventh Super Bowl title.
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