Inside the Numbers: Steelers Are on a Historic 4-Game Drought
The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing their worst football at the most crucial time of the year. Instead of going into the playoffs hot, the Steelers are reeling, losers of their last four games to conclude the regular season (out-scored 109-57).
It’s the first time since 1998 that Pittsburgh lost their last four games to end a regular season. The Steelers are the third team in NFL history to enter the playoffs on a four-game losing streak. The last team to enter the playoffs on such a streak were the 1999 Detroit Lions. The Lions lost to the Washington Redskins, 27-13, in the Wild Card Round game. Unless something unforeseen happens, the Steelers most likely will have the same fate as the 1999 Lions.
In addition, the Steelers are the first 10-win team to lose their final four regular season games since the 1986 New York Jets. The Jets lost five straight to end the 1986 regular season, but they won their Wild Card Round game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Jets lost in the next round to the Cleveland Browns in double overtime.
The defense has not performed well during the four-game losing streak, but the offense has been absolutely abysmal.
During Pittsburgh’s four-game losing streak, they have failed to score more than 17 points in every game. That hasn’t happened for the Steelers since 2003 (Weeks 3-6). They never even had such a four-game stretch at any point of the Matt Canada era (2021-23) and many have tabbed Canada as the worst offensive coordinator in recent Steelers history.
The Steelers offensive struggles don’t stop there, either. Pittsburgh has also not held a lead during any point of their four-game losing streak (240 minutes of game time) and have only been tied for 25 min, 46 seconds in that time (since Dec. 8).
RELATED: Historically Bad: Steelers Offense Reaches New Low in Loss
The slow starts continue to be an issue, as well. Since the unit failed to score a first-drive touchdown during the entire regular season.
Along with that, the Steelers have begun by going three-and-out nine times this season. They’re currently on a streak of six straight games started in that manner.
The last time the Steelers posted a touchdown on their first drive was Dec. 23, 2023, a 34-11 home win over Jake Browning and the Bengals.
Next week, Mike Tomlin will try to avoid his first five-game losing streak since the 2009 season (Weeks 10-14). The Steelers will also try to snap their seven-year playoff win drought, which is the longest streak for the franchise since pre-1972.
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