Before the 2024 season began, you would have been hard-pressed to find a single notable analyst or TV personality who believed in the Pittsburgh Steelers. There were far more people predicting their first losing season under Mike Tomlin than there were predicting a winning season, let alone success in the playoffs. That is why it is quite notable that the collective opinion on the 2024 Steelers is starting to shift. Stephen A. Smith sees a Super Bowl being within reach.
He was asked Wednesday during ESPN’s First Take if Russell Wilson makes the Steelers a threat for the Super Bowl.
“I think so. I’m not trying to say they’re the favorites, but you’ve got to pay attention. And they’re number one in the AFC North. They’re a game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens,” Smith said in a clip posted on X by First Take. “I’m looking at the Pittsburgh Steelers, we have no questions about their defense. Offensively, with Justin Fields averaging 20.7 points per game with 293 yards in the six games that he played with a 4-2 record, they’ve won three straight. Russell Wilson, 2-0…31.5 points, 417.5 yards. That’s more like it.
“If you’re telling me that Russell Wilson could continue to look this way with the Steelers’ defense led by the one and only T.J. [Watt]…I can’t dismiss the Pittsburgh Steelers as a threat when your defense is led by that man.”
It isn’t a full commitment to the idea that they are contenders, but it is a big leap. Smith isn’t the only one thinking this way either. FS1’s James Jones also mentioned the Steelers and the Super Bowl in the same sentence yesterday.
The rest of the AFC field looks at least somewhat vulnerable. The Baltimore Ravens just lost to the Cleveland Browns and their defense has been rough. The Houston Texans have sustained some key injuries on their offense. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills will be tough, but the Chiefs haven’t been dominant despite their 7-0 record.
The Steelers’ defense is ninth in yards allowed and second in points allowed per game. The offense is 16th in yards and 15th in points scored per game. They have scored over 30 points in two of their last three games and gained over 400 yards in each game that Wilson has been the quarterback. If you just look at the last few weeks, the Steelers have one of the best offenses. The arrow is firmly pointing up.
Not to mention the special teams unit has proven it is capable of providing a spark with multiple blocks on punts and field goals and a punt return for a touchdown in Week 8. That makes the Steelers a dangerous team that nobody wants to face. As long as they continue to trend in the right direction for the rest of the season, they will be a tough out in the playoffs. When is the last time the Steelers have seemed remotely capable of competing for a Super Bowl?
For now, I tend to agree with Smith. They certainly aren’t the favorites, but I don’t view it as an impossibility like I have for the last several seasons.
