Mike Tomlin's streak ends in 2024 in our updated Steelers season predictions (2024)

Curt Popejoy

June 3, 2024 8:37 am ET

For 17 straight seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season. The NFL decided in 2024 to hand the Steelers the toughest schedule they have had since Tomlin took over and put his new-look roster to the test.

Here is our updated prediction of wins and losses for the Steelers this season and thanks to a brutal eight-game run down the stretch, we don’t see any way Pittsburgh finishes above .500.

Week 1 – Sept 8 – At Falcons

Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith reacts to a call during the game against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL opens the season with former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith heading back to Atlanta as the offensive coordinator of the Steelers. Pittsburgh can’t afford to slip up early and despite the Falcons addition of Kirk Cousins, we are banking on the Steelers here.

Prediction: Win (1-0)

Week 2 – Sept 15 – At Broncos

Oct 29, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) following the win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Week two of the new Steelers revenge tour when new starting quarterback Russell Wilson goes back to Denver and finds a way to beat the Broncos.

Prediction: Win (2-0)

Week 3 – Sept 22 – vs Chargers

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 21: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers is sacked by Derrek Tuszka #48 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh finally comes home and takes on the Chargers and new Los Angeles head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Steelers ride the momentum from two big road wins with a victory in their home opener.

Prediction: Win (3-0)

Week 4 – Sept 29 – At Colts

Dec 16, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) collides with Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

After a quick homestand, the Steelers go back on the road and take on Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts. We like the Steelers defense to shut Richardson down and extend the Steelers record to 4-0.

Prediction: Win (4-0)

Week 5 - Oct 6 - vs Cowboys

Sep 8, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and offensive guard Connor Williams (52) in action during the game between the Cowboys and the Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

A fourth road game in five weeks is just too much for the Steelers and they fall to the Cowboys.

Prediction: Loss (4-1)

Week 6 - Oct 13 - At Raiders

HENDERSON, NEVADA – JUNE 07: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders catches a pass during mandatory minicamp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on June 07, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Raiders are in a full rebuild and we are not at all convinced Gardner Minshew is the answer. The Steelers pull off something of an upset here.

Prediction: Win (5-1)

Week 7 - Oct 20 - vs Jets (SNF)

Oct 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) pre game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets have Aaron Rodgers back and have taken strides in improving the team. This one will be close but the Jets pull off the win.

Prediction: Loss (5-2)

Week 8 - Oct 28 - vs Giants ( MNF)

Sep 14, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs the ball while Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Terrell Edmunds (34) defends during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh bounces back here after a loss to the Jets and takes advantage of some questionable quarterback play by the Giants.

Prediction: Win (6-2)

Week 9 - Nov 3 - Bye Week

Oct 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer on their team against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers head into the bye week at 6-2 and riding high near the top of the AFC. If the Steelers aren’t sitting pretty at the bye week, the season might already be over.

Week 10 - Nov 10 - At Commanders

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 07: Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Football Team attempts to catch a pass against Joe Haden #23 and Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of their game at Heinz Field on December 07, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

This feels like one of those Steelers games when everything lines up for a win but they find a way to lose. The Commanders pull off the upset.

Prediction: Loss (6-3)

Week 11 - Nov 17 - vs Ravens

Dec 5, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) carries the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (57) defends during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The gauntlet starts here and despite the Steelers success against Lamar Jackson, last week’s loss carries over to this game.

Prediction: Loss (6-4)

Week 12 - Nov 21 - At Browns (TNF)

Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday night games are always ugly football and this one will be no different. But in the end the Steelers pull off the win.

Prediction: Win (7-4)

Week 13 - Dec 1 - At Bengals

CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 26: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass in front of Joey Porter Jr. #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

After beating the Browns on the road, the Steelers turn around and head to Cincinnati and get beat by the Bengals.

Prediction: Loss (7-6)

Week 14 - Dec 8 - vs Browns

Oct 31, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

After letting one slip away two weeks ago, the Browns come to Pittsburgh and keep the Steelers losing streak going.

Prediction: Loss (7-7)

Week 15 - Dec 15 - At Eagles

Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes the ball past Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The gauntlet starts now and the Eagles prove to be too much for the Steelers.

Prediction: Loss (7-8)

Week 16 - Dec 21 - At Ravens (Saturday)

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

The Ravens pull off the regular-season sweep over the Steelers.

Prediction: Loss (7-9)

Week 17 - Dec 25 - vs Chiefs (Christmas)

Jan 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass while pressured by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during the first half in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The gauntlet ends the way it started with a loss as the Chiefs give the Steelers a big lump of coal in their stocking.