Nobody could have imagined how to get to the playoffs.

With a losing streak of four games. With an offense that scored a total of 6 touchdowns in those games and was never able to break the 20-point mark. With a defense that has gradually lost momentum in terms of game design. Other than the best placekicker in the league, there seems to be little to offer.

There should be no argument that the Steelers didn’t want to make the playoffs this way, but it has become their reality. Super Wild Card weekend begins with two games on Saturday, January 11th (4:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m.), three games on Sunday, January 12th (1:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., March 20). :15 p.m.) and one on Monday, Jan. 13 (8:15 p.m.), and the Steelers secured their spot in this single-elimination tournament on the same weekend that their losing streak ended began.

After the Steelers lost to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Kansas City in 11 days, there was a small bye before the regular season finale against the Bengals at Acrisure Stadium. It seemed like a good opportunity to compete against a team that was in a life-threatening situation regarding its own playoff hopes, a team with a top-notch offense and a less intimidating defense. In other words, a winnable game for them, if only because they beat the Bengals 44-38 in Cincinnati on December 1st.

But this rematch was nothing like that. After scoring 44 points and recording 520 total net yards and 28 first downs, he featured a passing attack that distributed the ball to 10 different receivers as part of an offense that saw only one of its first 10 possessions result in a punt ended before getting the win In this formation, the Steelers’ offense was slowed to seven first downs and 91 total net yards through three quarters on Saturday night. Instead of opening up and catching chunks of yardage, the receivers were more of a liability than an asset. And no one was innocent.

George Pickens’ final statistics showed that he was targeted six times but only completed one of them, and that one catch yielded zero yards. Calvin Austin III had no catches, but the ball hit his hands beyond the line for a third down before one of Corliss Waitman’s five punts. Even Pat Freiermuth, who had 8 catches for 85 yards and a 19-yard touchdown, had a pinpoint throw go through his hands on a fourth down beyond the line for the win in the final seconds, which would have given Chris Boswell a chance another game-winning field goal.

The defense was better than it had been during that four-game slump, but it wasn’t dynamic enough to make the difference in the outcome.

With Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals represent the best quarterback-starting wide receiver group in the NFL, and the Steelers defense allowed them 1 touchdown in 4 trips to the red zone, including 0-for-2 in goal-to-go situations. There was some bending along the way, however, and with the defense only having one takeaway – on a Beanie Bishop scoop of a pass that was tipped first by Patrick Queen – the Bengals controlled the ball and the clock after 38 minutes of possession and the flow of the game.

The big difference was in the play of the respective quarterbacks. Burrow had a 77.1 percent shooting percentage, and when it became clear that the Steelers were containing Chase and Higgins – neither of whom could catch more than 20 yards – he was patient and disciplined, taking the ball to five different yards for 114 yards Tight Ends This left the ball in the Bengals’ hands 71 ​​times on offense.

Wilson’s numbers pale in comparison. He completed 54.8 percent, the Steelers ran 13 fewer plays and the offense didn’t get more than 100 net yards until the fourth quarter. But the drops – or missed catches, if you prefer the softer, gentler spin – were an undeniable factor. And if that ball doesn’t go through Freiermuth’s hands on fourth down, when Boswell practices the kick and the Steelers win 20-19, Wilson could be viewed as a smart, experienced NFL starter capable of pulling off the win in January.

As for the rest, the defense has something to build on after allowing just one touchdown and three field goals in the red zone while also keeping up with an offense that leads the NFL in passing yards per game led and was number 1. 6 points per game. Special teams contributed when there was a botched punt in the fourth quarter that allowed for a Boswell field goal. And as long as the Chargers play Raiders on Sunday, none of the options on Wild Card Weekend – either in Houston or Baltimore – are unwinnable games.

However, things won’t continue that way now, as the Steelers lost to the Bengals 19-17 and the fact that they finished their regular season with a 0-fer doesn’t exactly help instill confidence for the postseason. Ready or not, they’re headed to the postseason anyway, playing the Texans in Houston or the Ravens in Baltimore in Super Wild Card Weekend on the weekend of January 11-13.

It’s going to happen, and the way they have to look at it is as an opportunity. They have done enough to qualify and therefore by definition they belong. Nothing matters except how they prepare and then perform in the stadium. They – coaches and players alike – have been here since the end of May and have worked towards this opportunity every day. As of Monday, it’s 0-0 for everyone still playing.

“I am confident. “I’m sorry I don’t have the energy for it, but I’m very confident in the group,” said Cam Heyward. “You know, as a professional you work hard week after week to be ready. There is a belief in the group and that is the only thing that matters. Instead of thinking about the multitude of them, I deal with them in a playful way.” We are in dance. Nobody is going to make it easy for us, but I like us against anyone.

“You can say I’m doing nonsense, but I am. And I like the group. It’s about ironing out our mistakes and cleaning up from yesterday.”

Because if they don’t, there will be no tomorrow.