The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the 2024 regular season, but before the real games begin, the team has to head to training camp back at Saint Vincent College in order to fine tune their skills. As we here at SCN prepare you for the start of camp, we give you a series called “30 Scenarios in 30 Days” which gives you a Steelers scenario every day leading up to the start of camp.

It is simple how it works. We provide you the scenario, reasons why it will or won’t happen, and then our prediction for what we think will take place.

Let’s get to the scenario…

Scenario: The Steelers will win a playoff game

Why it will happen: When it comes to why the Steelers can get over the proverbial playoff hump, it sometimes can be chalked up to an age-old saying in sports. To illustrated this saying better, I go back to a line from one of my favorite sports movies, Major League. It’s the postseason, and manager Lou Brown decides to take out the crafty veteran Eddie Harris and bring in Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn in relief. Catcher Jake Taylor looks at Brown and asks why he would bring in Vaughn when the batter he is going to face has had his number all season. Brown’s response is perfect:

“But I got a hunch he’s due.”

For those who haven’t seen this before, check the video below:

That’s the way I feel about the Steelers. Sure, they’ve made tremendous strides in improving their roster, but there is just something about this team, especially the defense, which I feel is more than capable of winning a game in the postseason. If I’m being honest, I think they are far more equipped to win a playoff game this year than since Ben Roethlisberger was the quarterback of the team.

A lot of factors tie into this success, and Arthur Smith’s offensive success or ineptitude might top the list, but I have a hunch this team is due.

Why it won’t happen: Even with the updates to the roster, it still feels as if the Steelers are chasing the rest of the AFC when it comes to being a truly elite contender in the conference. It isn’t as if the Steelers aren’t a capable team, but I think a lot will have to go right for the Steelers to be in the mix in not just the AFC North, but also the AFC.

But we aren’t talking about winning the Super Bowl, or even making the AFC Championship game. We’re just talking about winning a playoff game, and to win any playoff game you have to have quality quarterback play. It’s been a while since the Steelers can say they’ve had that, since Roethlisberger was under center, and it will need to be on point if they want to get over that hump.

Throw in the fact this roster, while improved, is still extremely fragile is another factor. If you lose T.J. Watt to injury, or even Minkah Fitzpatrick, the roster is still lesser than from a depth perspective. The Steelers have an uphill battle ahead of them in terms of winning their first playoff game in a long time.

Prediction: I believe the Steelers will win a playoff game this year, and that game will be a Wild Card game. Will they escape the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs? That depends on the location and team they are matched up with, but I foresee the Steelers being ready to take that next step and get their first playoff win since 2016.

Miss a scenario? Check out yesterday’s scenario below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for training camp.

30 Scenarios In 30 Days: The Steelers Will Have An NFL MVP Candidate