Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t mince words when addressing his team’s poor performance in their 29-10 Christmas Day loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The game marked the third consecutive blowout defeat for Pittsburgh, who started the season 10-3 but now find themselves in second place behind the Ravens in the AFC North heading into the regular season finale.
“That sucked,” Tomlin said bluntly while discussing his team’s latest stumble, which showcased a troubling pattern of costly mistakes. Sunday’s loss featured a series of turnovers, untimely penalties, lackluster special teams, and a defense unable to pressure Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes capitalized on the Steelers’ struggles, orchestrating four touchdown drives with ease.
Tomlin acknowledged that the team needs an immediate turnaround. “Junior varsity is not good enough,” he said via the team’s website. “We’ve got to own that. But we’ve also got to look at what it is we need to do different. We’re not going to continue to do the same things and hope for a different result.”
With an extra few days before their Week 18 game against the Bengals, Tomlin emphasized the need for introspection and significant adjustments to salvage their playoff hopes.
Although the Steelers have secured a playoff spot, their recent performances suggest a quick postseason exit unless drastic changes are made. Tomlin’s candid assessment underscores the urgency to address their issues before it’s too late.
