For the previous a number of years—the previous decade and extra—Pittsburgh Steelers followers have been watching Tremendous Bowls speaking about what different groups are doing or not doing. We’ve been basing our rooting pursuits, at occasions, on preserving a legacy that seems static. Approaching a decade for the reason that Steelers’ final playoff victory, it’s solely more and more turning into pathetic.
Contemplate this—final evening, we have been speaking in regards to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs matching the Steelers ‘70s dynasty. The Eagles spared us of that indignity, nonetheless, preserving Pittsburgh’s distinction. Because of their defeat, the Steelers stay the one crew to win 4 Tremendous Bowls in six years. And no crew has but received three in a row, the Steelers having received two in a row twice.
However so what? So what if the Chiefs received 4 Tremendous Bowls in six years? It’s not as if the Steelers have been stymied from successful this 12 months due to Kansas Metropolis’s quest for the three-peat. The fact is such rooting pursuits accomplish nothing however retaining barroom bragging rights. The fact is that the group that received 4 Tremendous Bowls in six years hasn’t even received a playoff sport in eight.
Some Steelers followers have been rooting for the Chiefs a 12 months in the past, nonetheless, whereas dealing with the San Francisco 49ers. Had the 49ers received, they’d have joined Pittsburgh and New England as the one groups with six Tremendous Bowl wins. It was unhealthy sufficient that they already tied the Steelers in Tremendous Bowl appearances, now 0-3 of their final three.
As soon as once more, this simply illustrates how pathetic the Steelers have grow to be as a aggressive group. Moderately than watch them compete for titles in the present day, their followers are watching championships hoping that others fail to protect what’s now towards historical past.
The Steelers more and more threat turning into a relic in the event that they don’t flip the nook quickly. Eight years with out a playoff win was as soon as regarded as unthinkable. Even within the nadir of Chuck Noll’s ultimate years, they managed to scrape up a win or two. How is it that they’ve gotten thus far?
As I’ve identified ample occasions, the Steelers are approaching the underside of the chronology of latest playoff winners. About three-fourths of the NFL has received a playoff sport extra not too long ago than they’ve. It’s no surprise we discover ourselves musing in regards to the doable failings of different groups when the Steelers give us nothing to debate. They’re simply one other crew now. Their followers bear them up as a flagship franchise, however their outcomes on the sphere inform a special story. One which more and more relies upon upon maintaining others down.
