Except for a blip in 1947 when they finished the season with an 8-4 record and were blown out by the Eagles in the divisional round, the Pittsburgh Steelers and playoffs were complete strangers until 1972.
For decades now, it’s been rare for the Steelers not to be in the playoff conversation. The last two-year draught prior to the two recent seasons was in 2012 and 2013; only the second time on head coach Mike Tomlin’s watch.
Digging deeper, the Steelers have not missed three consecutive playoffs since 1998-2000. In fact, Pittsburgh has only lost the division seven times since then. While many Steelers fans will argue that’s seven times too many, that was 20 seasons, a quarterback, one head coach and a handful of coordinators ago.
With the expanded 14-team playoff format, if the Steelers don’t make the playoffs in 2020, I’d say Tomlin could find himself on the hot seat.
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