Steelers Tie NFL Record with Win vs. Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin after a win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Chris Ward |

Updated: Dec 1, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin clinched an 18th consecutive non-losing season with a 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The Steelers also tied an NFL record with the win.

Overall, the Steelers haven’t had a losing season since 2003, which is by far the longest active streak in the NFL. The 21-year streak of non-losing seasons is tied for the most in NFL history with the Dallas Cowboys’ 21-year run from 1965-85.

The Steelers finished 8-8 four times over the past two decades (2006, 2012, 2013 and 2018). The next-longest streak of non-losing seasons is 19 by the New England Patriots. New England never had a below .500 season during their two separate dynasty eras from 2001 to 2019.

Only Tom Landry (21 seasons, 1965-1985) and Bill Belichick (19 seasons, 2001-2019) have more consecutive seasons without a losing record than Tomlin’s 18. Landry had five consecutive losing seasons to start his career with the Dallas Cowboys, while Belichick had losing seasons in Cleveland and in his first season in New England. Tomlin holds the NFL record for the most consecutive non-losing seasons to start a coaching career.

Since 1972, the Steelers have 41 winning seasons, seven losing seasons and five .500 seasons.

The Steelers currently sit atop of the AFC North at 9-3. As of right now, the Steelers are one of the top contenders in the AFC with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. Heading into Week 13, Pittsburgh holds a 1.5 game advantage over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.

While the Steelers’ non-losing season streak is impressive and speaks to the Pittsburgh’s consistency, the organization’s main goal is to win playoff games and ultimately a Super Bowl this season. The Steelers are currently on a seven-year playoff win drought.

Steelers president Art Rooney II expressed this past offseason that he’s seen enough of the Steelers losing in the playoffs.

“We’ve had enough of this,” Rooney said. “It’s time to get some wins; it’s time to take these next steps.”