The Steelers are unlikely to make the playoffs this season
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to hide in the playoff picture.
Despite a 2-6 start to the season, the Steelers have won three of their last four games and remain in the AFC wild card hunt.
For a team that entered the season with Mitch Trubisky as the starting quarterback, it’s a surprise to see them still alive.
But, rookie Kenny Pickett’s play helped keep Pittsburgh afloat.
Also, the Steelers defense since the return of TJ Watt has been very good.
Watt returned from injury in Week 10 and Pittsburgh has allowed 20 points per game since then.
Although it may seem unlikely, the Steelers still have a 7% chance of making the playoffs.
There is still a chance! #Steels #NFL pic.twitter.com/6QwfdPs52Z
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) December 8, 2022
One of the reasons they can make the playoffs is their end-of-season schedule.
Over the next two weeks, the Steelers will face the Ravens without Lamar Jackson and the Carolina Panthers.
Those are two games Pittsburgh should win.
If they can get back to .500 with a 7-7 record, their playoff odds will almost certainly go up.
Continuous development of Pickett
The most important thing for the Steelers should be the continued development of their franchise quarterback.
Pickett has big shoes to fill as the next man after Ben Roethlisberger.
But you can already see that the rookie is making positive progress.
Kenny Pickett this season
Before goodbye since goodbye
1-3 WL 3-1
2 TD passes 2
9 Turnover 0
66.8 Pass score 85.9 pic.twitter.com/aUoNYsDouD— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 7, 2022
The rookie takes care of the ball and does a lot of good things with his arm.
He still completes 65.2% of his passes on the season, which is rare for most rookies.
The Steelers offense plays to its strengths and allows Pickett to complete easy passes.
That’s why his yards per attempt rank 33rd in the NFL at 6.1.
There’s been a lot of good from Pickett this season, and his development will remain very important in Pittsburgh.
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