The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to break their three-game losing streak before the playoffs start. They need this win if they want any sort of momentum or confidence for the games that mean the most. If they fall against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18, it’s safe to assume that the Steelers will have their sixth straight embarrassing playoff loss; this time, it will be against their hated division rivals in the Baltimore Ravens. If so, then this would be yet another failed season ending in a blown opportunity.
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Former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson after winning Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle.
Quarterback Russell Wilson spoke with the media after a practice leading up to Saturday. He spoke about his mindset about the whole situation and how he would respond to this adversity.
“That level of obsession, that level of focus, that level of communication, that level of response is everything, and that’s what champions do. I think that if we want to be champions, we got to communicate that way, we got to think that way, we got to believe that way, and we can’t blink. Champions don’t focus on the negative stuff. They fix it, then they move on, and they focus on what helps them win, and that’s all the things we have in this locker room.”
Wilson would know a thing or two about the mindset of a champion, considering the fact that he won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. He will need to help the rest of the team to think and act like a champion, considering the fact that it’s been a while since the Steelers have even looked like champions, let alone won a championship.
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Steelers’ Russell Wilson throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during Week 11 of the 2024 regular season.
Steelers Have Plenty Of Negatives To Dwell On
Wilson said that part of the mentality is to not focus on the negatives and to instead realize the positives. After the three-game losing streak and all of the comments made after their latest defeat on Christmas Day, it doesn’t seem like the Steelers are taking Wilson’s advice. Their heads don’t exactly seem to be in the right place.
After DeShon Elliott ripped the defense after the losing streak, he said that he should have kept it in-house. However, he then went from focusing on one negative to complaining about another. Even if he is right about the NFL screwing the Steelers over with this terrible schedule, now is not the time to rip them apart. Now is the time to get focused.
Positives For Steelers To Focus On
The Steelers have dealt with injuries all season long, but that may finally be coming to a close. Joey Porter Jr. is healing up and is expected to play in Week 18. On top of that, three players have been designated to return from their respective reserve lists. While they most likely won’t play in the season finale, they may become available for the playoffs.
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Steelers linebackers Cole Holcomb (#55) and Kwon Alexander ($54) celebrate after a big play during a 2023 home game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
If the Steelers win their game, but fail to clinch the division, they will get a favorable matchup in the Wild Card Round. The Houston Texans have seemingly not played up to their ability throughout most of the season. They have their own questions and concerns about how legitimate they are. If the Steelers have a chance against any playoff team, it’s Houston.
Even for Mike Tomlin‘s recent issues, one thing that he is great at is motivating his players. There are plenty of times when the sky seems to be falling, but he turns it around at the last second and makes something out of nothing. He will have to do that yet again if he wants to end the Steelers’ current losing streak, as well as their playoff losing streak.
What do you think about Wilson’s mindset heading into the Steelers’ Week 18 game against the Bengals? Will they focus on the positives and get a win, or will they dwell on the negatives and get embarrassed again? Let us know in the comments.