After suffering a loss to the Cleveland Browns two weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers redeemed themselves and were able to pick up a win at home in Week 15. Following the 27-14 win and sitting at a 10-3 record, there was only one question that crossed my mind: Is Pittsburgh finally ready to return to their winning ways in the postseason?

Pittsburgh has lost their last 4 playoff games, with their last win coming January 2017 against the Kansas City Chiefs. With that being said, I would argue that I as a fan have not felt like the Steelers were true contenders since that 2016 season. They have won enough games in the regular season to earn a playoff spot, even during seasons where perhaps they should not have been quite as successful based on their roster. Credit is owed looking back on those seasons to Mike Tomlin as well as the veteran players on the team who provided leadership. However, those teams just had a different feel to them. They were not teams that made me as a fan believe that a Super Bowl championship was possible, and realistically, they had a ceiling in terms of teams they could beat consistently.

The 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers are a very different story. The defensive side of the ball is once again very strong as it has been in years past. The additions of Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, DeShon Elliot, and Donte Jackson have only further strengthened the defense. As it stands this week, they are a top 10 defense in the league. Special Teams have been playing extremely well, leading the league in blocked kicks. Chris Boswell has always been talented, but he may be the best kicker in the NFL this season. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this team is the offense. Omar Khan and company gave this unit a revamp in the offseason by drafting offensive linemen, bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at quarterback, and making changes in the wide receiver room. I think as a fan, I knew the offense would look different, but I underestimated just how good they would be. The Steelers are ranked in the top 10 in terms of rushing yards per game, and Russell Wilson has brought belief back into the passing game. Pittsburgh can pass the ball when they need to.

In sum, Pittsburgh is good in all three phases this season, and they seem to be improving every week. I have not had this feeling about a Steelers team in years, and this is the year they will make it back into the deep playoffs. It’s time for the Steel City to be excited about January football again.