FIRST TAKE | PLAYOFFS OR BUST! - Stephen A. on Russell Wilson to LEAD Steelers to Promised Land!

is a Super Bowl champion he went to two Super Bowls in his first four seasons since that time the Pittsburg Steelers are three and eight in playoff games with six one and done postseasons six got the seventh worst playoff record in the National Football League over the last 13 seasons and they haven't won a playoff game since 200 16 the last time the Pittsburgh Steelers won a playoff game Dak Prescott had just entered the NFL and by the way Trump was running against Hillary Clinton for election that's how long ago it was last time the Steelers won a playoff game now I don't know about anybody else but I have no reason to believe that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to make the postseason how about Cincinnati last year they missed the playoffs did we forget why Joe Burrow's hurt Joe burrow had a calf injury in preseason he didn't play really the first four games or so or even when he played he was struggling miserably they started off one and three as he got healthier they won four of their next five games and then he got hurt so one could easily argue Baltimore and Cincinnati ain't going away Cincinnati was in the last two AFC Championship Games before last season when Joe bur got hurt when Joe bur's been healthy they've been in an AFC Championship game two times and a superball once when he healthy so I'm looking at that I'm looking at Baltimore and I'm looking at Cleveland and I'm looking at the Pittsburgh Steelers telling me well you know we like how Russell Wilson has conducted himself I can't I I I can't I mean I'm looking at Ballers and then I'm looking aters somebody telling me about Russell Wilson's Behavior I I I don't have a lot to think about your offensive line should be better pickings I would have loved for them to get auk with pickings all right na Aris and Jaylen Warren I love them brothers I love what they can do together fry Mo no joke I mean as long as TJ wat is healthy on defense with Fitzpatrick I mean yo I believe in their defense but when you look at the AFC North I can't say no more I'm looking at the Steelers and I see a playoff team I just can't say that and I'm a Steeler fan so the push back I will have Stephen is that the question wasn't are the Steelers going to make the Super Bowl the question wasn't are the Steelers going to make the playoffs and win that wild card game Or that that division round game the question wasn't are the Steelers right now are we saying they're a better team than the Bengals the question is just like will they make the playoffs something they've done I said no okay again you're here and I need you're here I need you to come down just a little bit I need to do that to you I get to do that to you like let's let's take the emotion out of this hey before we go can I digress one second your lighting's perfect now Stephen I just so you know it's perfect it's good tell tell them to keep it that way no I'm letting you know like you're not blue tint you're no no it's it's it's it's it's something with the prompter the glare the the reflection off of the prompter they trying to work it's the background it's and everything is reflecting in the background it's the sunshine behind you yeah it's all I know is this all I know is this whatever the background looked like it looked good it's all I do yeah so Stephen so Stephen rolling it back the question is just will they make the playoffs which is something they have done three of the last four seasons like that that that's literally you went through the whole history of the Steelers and oh they get bounced in the first round they get bounced in the first round that's not the question the question is not will the Steelers get bounc in the first round of the playoffs it's can they make the playoffs will they make the playoffs they have your point is your point would be valid if I failed to answer the question but since I closed my argument saying Cleveland Baltimore Cincinnati I can't see them making the playoffs they're not going to the playoffs that did answer the question I'm glad you brought up my favorite city where they keep sending me Berea Ohio because you spoke with such certainty about the Cleveland Browns do you have any idea what deshun Watson will look like when he takes the the field I didn't speak about Cy with them I spoke about with Cincinnati and Baltimore we know Baltimore not going with the Bengals and you know they got in in in Cleveland they got deshun Watson that he's got to come back and huh he were they were in the playoffs too you can't underestimate Cleveland that's what I said yeah so that was also your storyline to watch you wanted which is an interesting one what Sean Watson does I think I think listen that might be the storyline to be honest like which Deshawn Waton we going to get difficult decision but not difficult in a negative way to be quite honest with you the decision was difficult because of what they're capable of doing obviously Russ's resume is a unique one in terms of length and success and that tends to play a factor in the decision-making but not from a decisionmaker perspective it's just you know fruit of his labor um you know he's seen a lot and done a lot and I think it was reflected in the way he he played and conducted himself the Pittsburgh Steelers once a Powerhouse synonymous with dominance and resilience now stand at a Crossroads that could Define the very future of the franchise with Russell Wilson now Dawning the black and gold as they're starting quarterback the weight of expectation has never been heavier nor the stakes higher this season is not just another chapter in the Steelers stored history it is a pivotal moment that could either revive their waning Legacy or thrust them into a downward spiral from which recovery might be impossible the burning question that haunts the minds of fans and analysts alike is whether Russell Wilson a veteran whose best days are now under intense scrutiny has what it takes to steer this ship through the unforgiving Seas of the AFC North and Beyond even if the Steelers managed to scrape their way into the playoffs the real question remains are they equipped to go all the way or are they merely prolonging the inevitable season destined to end in bitter disappointment and shattered aspirations as we delve deeper we will uncover the immense challenges that lie ahead and question whether this team has the fortitude to overcome them coach Mike Tomlin revealed for his unwavering leadership and consistency now faces a pressure unlike any he has encountered in his at 18year tenure his streak of never having a losing season is remarkable but it is a hollow achievement if the Steelers can continue to falter when it matters most to teers since their last playoff victory in 2016ss the Steelers have been on a downward trajectory plagued by early exits and missed opportunities now with Russell Wilson under Center quarterback who despite his Super Ball pedigree is marred by reason struggles the Steelers are at a critical juncture the AFC see North is a Minefield home to some of the most formidable teams in the NL the Cincinnati Bengals Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns all present significant threats and the Steelers must not only survive but dominate if they are to reclaim their place among the league as Elite the question is whether they have the resolve to rise to the occasion or whether this season will be the one that breaks them the arrival of Russell Wilson and Pittsburgh is both a potential blessing and a looming disaster on one hand his experience in past success bring a glimmer of hope to a team desperate for stability at the quarterback position on the other hand his recent performance raises serious doubts about whether he can still lead a team to Glory the offensive line despite Investments and adjustments is a glaring weakness riddled with injuries and inconsistency without solid protection even the most talented quarterback will be rendered ineffective compounding this issue is the lack of proven Playmakers in the receiving Corp outside of George Pickins the options are scarce and this lack of ir power could be the Steelers undoing the offense is a house of cards precariously balanced and one misstep could send it crashing down taking the entire season with it defensively the Steelers have traditionally been a force to be reckoned with and this year year it is no exception with stars like TJ wat and Minka Fitzpatrick they possess the ability to change the course of a game single-handedly but can this defense carry the weight of an entire team the pressure on this unit to be nearly Flawless is immense and any laps could have catastrophic consequences especially against the high octane offenses in the a the defense must not only hold the line but also compensate for the inevitable shortcomings on offense the margin for error is Razor thin and the weight of expectation could be crushing this season will test the medal of the Steelers to defense like never before and the slightest crack could shatter their hopes entirely the AFC North is not merely competitive it is a brutal unforgiving Battleground where only the strongest survive the Cincinnati Bengals armed with a healthy Joe burrow are legitimate Super Bowl contenders already proving their prowess in recent Seasons the Baltimore Ravens led by the electrifying lmer Jackson boast a dynamic offense and a defense that can smother opponents even the Cleveland Browns often unestimated have the talent to challenge any team in the league particularly if Dison Watson regains his Peak form in such a division the Steelers cannot afford even a single misstep every game is a battle and the consequences of failure are dire the pressure to perform consistently at the highest level is Relentless and the odds of emerging unscathed are slim so where does this leave the Pittsburg Steelers the reality is Harsh the path ahead is fraught with Peril and the odds are stacked heavily against them Russell Wilson must not only play well he must exceed all expectations and prove that he still has what it takes to lead a team to the promised land the offensive line must Gil into a cohesive unit capable of protecting their quarterback and the receivers must step up and in critical moments meanwhile the defense must be nothing short of spectacular capable of carrying the team through the toughest of times anything less in the Steelers are looking at another season of hard a and missed opportunities the question is no longer whether the Steelers can make the playoffs but whether they can do so in a way that truly positions them as Super Bowl contenders as things stand the answer is Bleak the Steelers are walking a tight RPP and the slightest misstep could send them plummeting into mediocrity or worse in a league as unforgiving as then FL Only the strongest Survivor and the Steelers must prove they belong among the elite or face the harsh reality that their time in the spotlight may be coming to an end