The Steelers’ fatal mistake that will doom them in the 2025 NFL playoffs

The Pittsburgh Steelers he may have finished the regular season in 2024 four-game losing streakbut they managed to make the playoffs as the 6th seed in the AFC. Now they will have to try to end their losing streak in a do or die game against red-hot Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night.

Not much was expected of the Steelers this year, but once again they managed to exceed expectations, posting a 10-7 record. The team revitalized Russell Wilson under center while locking down opponents with one of the best defenses in the league. They’ve struggled down the stretch, yes, but when they’re playing their best football, Pittsburgh is an incredibly tough team to beat.

Every team has flaws, and the Steelers’ flaws have been exposed multiple times over the past month. Ideally, they wouldn’t enter the postseason on a losing streak, and while there’s time to turn things around, it’s clear that one fatal flaw will prevent Pittsburgh from ultimately winning the Super Bowl this year.

Steelers’ fatal flaw: Lack of offensive firepower

It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Steelers have found ways to win this year, and that’s the most important thing you can do in the NFL. However, the pressure increases in the postseason, forcing players to go the extra mile in their quest to help their team win. Over the past four weeks, however, nobody in Pittsburgh has done that, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

It’s worth noting that three of Pittsburgh’s four losses during this span have come against playoff teams, the other being the desperate Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. Through these four games, the Steelers offense is averaging just 14.3 points per game, which is just good enough. And that is their fatal flaw; this offense just isn’t explosive enough to beat playoff-caliber opponents.

In his 11 action games, Wilson has been solid for the Steelersthrowing for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns. Considering how poorly he played the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos, it was a big step forward for the veteran passer. The problem is that even his improved play doesn’t usually make a difference for Pittsburgh.

On the ground, the Steelers have a decent running back duo in Najee Harris and Jailen Warren, but neither guy is a true playmaker. Harris looked better this season, averaging four yards per carry while accounting for over 1,300 yards of total offense, while Warren came on strong toward the end of the year after being slowed by injuries early in the campaign.

Both should be heavily involved in the offense, as the real problem is in the pass-catching department. There really isn’t a consistent option for Wilson to throw to. George Pickens has the ability to be a star, but whether or not that version of him emerges is a question mark every week. Pat Freiermuth is a solid target underneath and Calvin Austin III is a dangerous deep threat, but neither can be the best option in the air.

For the Steelers to have literally any chance of beating the Ravens, they need the best version of Pickens to emerge, which is a scary proposition. Without him, Pittsburgh is toast. Wilson was stuck fighting for his life waiting for guys to get open without Pickens on the field, while opposing defenses made life difficult for Harris and Warren by stacking multiple guys in the box to clog up their running lanes.

Getting Warren into the passing game may be an option, but he falls into a similar category to Freiermuth when it comes to his skill set. If Pickens can’t get going, Pittsburgh will be in trouble, and even if he has a good game, it might not be enough for them. The Steelers have done a great job of making the most of their 2024 campaign, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they reach the end of the road Saturday night against Baltimore because of their offensive issues.