Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been as steady as any head coach in NFL history during his time with the team and proved it with a big win over the Baltimore Ravens to keep their playoff hopes alive.
It was a struggle all night for the Steelers offensively, but rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett came through when it mattered most with a clutch touchdown pass to take a 16-13 lead with just 56 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Pickett to Harris for the lead.pic.twitter.com/W5Jjs25Wxf
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 2, 2023
The Steelers’ defense solidified the win with an interception on the Ravens’ following possession to secure an ugly 16-13 victory.
Ballgame. Steelers are alive heading into Week 18. Ravens need to get Lamar Jackson back ASAP. pic.twitter.com/rJmaXVDqBH
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 2, 2023
This win was huge for the Steelers as a team but also continues to prove just how consistent Mike Tomlin is as a head coach.
The win put the Steelers at 8-8 on the year, keeping Tomlin’s NFL record of 15 consecutive seasons without a losing year to begin a coaching career alive.
Mike Tomlin is a Hall of Fame coach. To not have a single losing season in 16 years is damn near impossible, and he’s done it with class every step of the way to boot. The 8-8 #Steelers are still in the playoff hunt, and Coach Tomlin deserves nothing but the utmost respect!
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 2, 2023
They will obviously need a win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 18 to make it 16 straight years for Tomlin, but the NFL world is praising him for his excellent coaching job this year with an inexperienced Steelers team.
“Mike Tomlin back at .500, unbelievably. The Steelers still very much alive,” tweeted Albert Breer of NFL Network.
Mike Tomlin back at .500, unbelievably. The Steelers still very much alive.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 2, 2023
“Mike Tomlin remains one of the best coaches in the NFL There’s no good reason why this team should be 8-8 right now, yet here they are. Incredible job, once again by Tomlin.” tweeted Aaron Leming of SB Nation.
Mike Tomlin remains one of the best coaches in the NFL. There’s no good reason why this team should be 8-8 right now, yet here they are. Incredible job, once again by Tomlin.
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) January 2, 2023
“Mike Tomlin should be put into the Hall of Fame without a waiting period. How the Steelers are 8-8 and legitimately in the playoff race is unbelievable,” tweeted Matt Verderame of Fansided.
Mike Tomlin should be put into the Hall of Fame without a waiting period. How the Steelers are 8-8 and legitimately in the playoff race is unbelievable
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) January 2, 2023
There is a real argument that this is Tomlin’s best coaching job considering the youth of this Steelers team that may sneak into the playoffs.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.