The Pittsburgh Steelers entered week 15 having won seven of their last eight games.
They are in first in the AFC North.
Week 15 was a mixed bag of emotions for the Steelers.
On a good note, they clinched a playoff spot with the Colts and Dolphins losing.
However, there was much more bad coming out of week 15 than good.
For one, the Steelers were dominated by the Eagles. The game wasn’t close and the Eagles had their way with Pittsburgh’s defense.
Another negative coming out of week 15 for the Steelers is injuries are mounting at the worst possible time.
George Pickens has missed the last two games due to a grade two hamstring injury. T.J. Watt injured his ankle in the game against the Eagles.
Below, we discuss the latest on the injury Watt suffered, the Steelers clinching a playoff spot, and whether they are in trouble of not winning a postseason game once again.
Injuries To Star Players Piling Up For The Steelers
With only three games left after losing in week 15, injuries are piling up at the worst time for the Steelers.
Star WR George Pickens has missed the last two games due to a grade two hamstring injury. Pickens may not be able to suit up in week 16 against the Ravens or in week 17 against the Chiefs on a very short week.
Pittsburgh plays on Saturday in week 16 then on a Wednesday, on Christmas in week 17.
Pickens is in danger of missing two critical contests against the Ravens for the division and then Kansas City.
Star pass rusher and odds-on favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, T.J. Watt injured his ankle in week 15. X-rays came back negative. ESPN’s Brooke Pryor posted on X that Watt said he rolled his ankle, and X-rays were negative.
T.J. Watt said he rolled his ankle, and the x-rays were negative.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 16, 2024
Brooke also posted on X that Mike Tomlin said Watt suffered a low ankle injury.
T.J. Watt has a low ankle injury, per Mike Tomlin
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 16, 2024
It is good news that there are no fractures but this does not mean Watt is out of the woods. He could still miss time, which would be troublesome for the Steelers as they have a massive game in week 16 to win the AFC North.
Pickens is the best player on the offensive side of the ball for Pittsburgh while Watt is the best defensive player for the Steelers.
Injuries to those two players this late in the season with their eyes set on winning the division is a crushing blow to Pittsburgh.
Are The Steelers In Danger Of Once Again Not Winning A Playoff Game?
With injuries piling up to their star players on offense and defense, the simple answer is, yes, the Steelers are in danger of not winning a playoff game once again.
They have not won a playoff game since 2016. This looked like their best chance of winning a game in the postseason in quite some time.
Russell Wilson has played well and the offense was clicking with Pickens in.
The Steelers when Watt is healthy always have a formidable defense.
Now, with Pickens and Watt injured, the Steelers are in danger of not winning the division and losing in the wild-card round.
If the injury to Watt does not sideline him for the Ravens game, this would be a massive boost for the Steelers. It is unlikely Pickens returns against Baltimore but that would also be a tremendous help.
The offense has not looked the same without Pickens and the defense is nowhere near the same without Watt. Simply put, the Steelers do not win games when T.J. Watt is not on the field. Pittsburgh is 1-10 without Watt.
With injuries to star players, the Steelers are in danger of once again not winning a playoff game.
