The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a huge win in Week 18, thanks in large part to Tyler Lockett’s missed field goal. With that victory, the Steelers are now AFC North champions and will host a home playoff game this weekend against the Houston Texans.
Pittsburgh has already exceeded expectations by finishing the regular season with a 10-7 record and clinching a playoff spot. However, there is still a lot at stake for this storied organization. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be embarking on his final NFL playoff run at the age of 42. On top of that, rumors suggest that head coach Mike Tomlin might step away from the team after this season.
Put all of that together, and the stakes could not be higher for the Steelers in the postseason. But urgency alone won’t be enough to win football games in January. Pittsburgh needs to perform at the peak of their abilities throughout the playoffs. Even a single mistake could lead to an early exit.
In fact, the Steelers look particularly vulnerable to going one-and-done in the playoffs — and there’s an obvious reason why. Below, we explore Pittsburgh’s fatal flaw that could derail their Super Bowl hopes during the AFC playoffs.
### The Steelers Lack the Offensive Firepower Needed for a Super Bowl Run
The Steelers deserve credit for winning the AFC North this season, but that division title is not as impressive as it might appear at first glance. Cincinnati fell apart after star quarterback Joe Burrow got injured, effectively removing them from the playoff race. Meanwhile, Cleveland has lacked threat since Baker Mayfield departed. Baltimore gave Pittsburgh a strong challenge but did so with Lamar Jackson playing a compromised season.
This matters because the competition level will ramp up significantly in the playoffs, and Pittsburgh simply doesn’t have the offensive firepower to match the AFC’s elite teams.
One part of the problem is Rodgers himself. While his killer instinct and deep understanding of the game have kept him relevant into his 40s, he is a flawed quarterback. His arm strength has diminished compared to his prime, which limited the Steelers’ ability to air the ball out much this season.
To make matters worse, Pittsburgh’s skill-position players don’t look like a high-scoring playoff roster. DK Metcalf, Jaylen Warren, and Pat Freiermuth are solid contributors, but the depth behind them does not inspire confidence.
Consider the numbers: the Steelers averaged just 23.4 points per game during the regular season, placing them squarely in the middle of the pack in the NFL. While that production combined with a strong defense may be sufficient to beat many teams, it risks falling short against the AFC’s best.
Remember the Steelers’ losses against the Chargers (25-10) in Week 10 and the Bills (26-7) in Week 13? If the Texans’ defense proves to be as strong—or even stronger—than Pittsburgh’s, scoring enough points could be a significant challenge.
### How Will the Steelers Perform Against an Elite Texans Defense?
There’s no question the Houston Texans boast one of the NFL’s best defenses. In fact, they far outclassed the Steelers in defensive performance this season.
Houston allowed just 17.4 points per game, ranking second only to Seattle. Their defense is fierce against both the pass and the run—they surrendered an average passer rating of only 76.2, recorded 47 sacks, and forced 19 interceptions. On top of that, the Texans have a top-five run defense.
Their defense’s dominance was on full display when they dismantled the Buffalo Bills back in November. If Houston could do that to a team like Buffalo, there’s little reason to think the Steelers will fare much better.
Personally, I believe the combination of Houston’s incredible defense and Pittsburgh’s limited offense could make for an ugly playoff game. If the Texans get solid offensive production from C.J. Stroud and company, it’s hard to see how the Steelers can mount a comeback — barring a generous amount of luck.
It will be fascinating to see how the Steelers decide to approach the Texans’ defense in the postseason. Steelers fans should hope for a hot start on offense because if Pittsburgh falls behind by even one score early, the game—and the season—could be over.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/steelers-fatal-flaw-that-will-derail-super-bowl-hopes-in-afc-playoffs
