NFL analyst predicts Pittsburgh Steelers snap decades-long streak in 2024

Despite whatever issues the Pittsburgh Steelers are going through on a year-by-year basis, head coach Mike Tomlin always finds a way to get his team to a winning record.

The Steelers haven't finished with a losing record since Tomlin took over, and it has been even longer since Pittsburgh finished in last place. In fact, that hasn't happened in the entire history of the AFC North (since 2002), and you'd have to go back to 1988 for the last time the Steelers finished in the cellar of their division.

But, according to USA TODAY's Nate Davis , that is going to change. While he has the Steelers once again finishing with a winning record in 2024, he also has Pittsburgh landing in last place in the AFC North.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8): Heading into his 18th season at the helm, we know HC Mike Tomlin won’t be associated with a losing ledger. But while these Steelers appear more formidable following the acquisitions of QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, plus what might be this year’s most enviable class of rookies , things could certainly get messy as Arthur Smith installs a new offense for an organization attempting to get back to its hard-nosed roots – all while also trying to determine whether one of its new quarterbacks, with disparate skill sets and experience, is the answer for 2025 and beyond even though neither is signed for next season. And coming out of their Week 9 bye, the Steelers hit the road five times in a seven-week span. Pittsburgh hasn't finished in last place since divisional realignment in 2002, but there’s a first time for everything – last year being the first in the Super Bowl era when an entire divisional membership (AFC North) finished above .500. Déjà vu?

While this is certainly possible considering how good the division is overall, there is reason for optimism that the Steelers can avoid such a finish and post the same or a better record than they did in 2023.

After all, they figure to have a better situation under center with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, which will make a huge difference. However, Pittsburgh still needs to bolster its receiving corps. to give Wilson, who is expected to be the starter come Week 1, a better chance.

When it comes to the rest of the AFC North, Davis predicts that the Cincinnati Bengals will win it with an 11-6 record, with the Cleveland Browns winning a tie-breaker over the Baltimore Ravens for second place and a playoff spot at 10-7.