After back-to-back humiliating losses to the Eagles and Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers entered their Christmas Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs desperate to prove they were more than pretenders this season. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, that proof never came.
The game spiraled out of control early, with Russell Wilson and the Steelers offense managing just one yard on their first two drives, spanning eight plays. Meanwhile, the Chiefs capitalized quickly, jumping to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter and maintaining dominance throughout the contest. Despite facing a short week and traveling for a Wednesday game in late December, Kansas City cruised to a commanding 29-10 victory, leaving the Steelers with more questions than answers.
Steelers Fail to Prove Contender Status
December has been a harsh reality check for the Steelers, exposing them as far from Super Bowl contention. In Week 15, they were embarrassed by the Eagles, who nearly doubled their time of possession in a lopsided 27-13 game. The following week in Baltimore, turnovers from Russell Wilson doomed them as the Ravens secured a 34-17 win, effectively ending Pittsburgh’s hopes of claiming the AFC North.
This game against the Chiefs was Pittsburgh’s last opportunity to demonstrate they belonged in the playoff contender conversation, but the team faltered yet again. Over the course of the game, the Steelers ran just 58 plays compared to the Chiefs’ 73, averaging 5.0 yards per play compared to Kansas City’s 6.7. The offensive struggles were glaring, while the defense had no answer for Patrick Mahomes, even with Kansas City missing All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones.
A Worrisome Pattern Emerges
Over their past three games, all against playoff-caliber opponents, the Steelers have been outscored 40-90. The offense has failed to rise to the occasion, and the defense has struggled to contain elite opponents. These performances underscore the unfortunate truth: the Steelers are not close to being serious Super Bowl contenders this season. The lackluster showing against Kansas City further highlights systemic issues that should concern fans about the team’s future.
One Last Chance Before the Playoffs
As the gauntlet of their 2024 schedule winds down, the Steelers face the Cincinnati Bengals in their final regular-season game. While the game won’t change the narrative of Pittsburgh’s disappointing December, it represents a chance to gain some momentum before the NFL Playoffs. However, if their recent performances are any indication, the Steelers have a long way to go to prove they can compete with the league’s elite.
