Skidding Steelers are playoff-bound, but not for long if they can't emerge from a late funk

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. The Bengals won 19-17. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Jan 5, 2025 4:53 PM

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are reeling heading into the playoffs. The Steelers will head on the road for the first round riding a four-game losing streak after falling to Cincinnati 19-17 in the regular-season finale. Pittsburgh hasn’t led at any point during the skid, all of which came against teams that finished the season with a winning record. Coach Mike Tomlin says his team has the mental toughness to bounce back. The Steelers will enter the postseason looking for their first playoff victory since 2016.