Will the Steelers make the playoffs? A look at the history of 6-2 starts under Mike Tomlin

The 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers are currently sitting at a great place at 6-2. Since the birth of the 70s dynasty, Pittsburgh has had 14 similar starts. 13 led to a playoff birth, including 12 division titles, seven conference championship appearances, four Super Bowl games, and three Lombardi trophies. History says the post-season is all but a given although Mike Tomlin's resume has the lone outlier. Let's take a look at Tomlin's previous six 6-2 teams.

This is Tomlin's only team to start 6-2 at the bye, just like in 2024. The 2017 squad only lost one more regular season game, but it may be the one that fans remember most. It was a fourth-quarter comeback from Tom Brady in Heinz Field that's famous for the "Jesse Caught It" moment. The Steelers won the division and a first-round bye., but the season ended in the Divisional round against Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars .

This team lost to Baltimore in Week 9 due to a Joe Flacco fourth-quarter comeback for a 6-3 start. Their only other loss was a Monday night whopping in San Fransisco from Alex Smith, Frank Gore, and Vernon Davis. This team finished 12-4 but didn't win the tie-breaker for the division crown due to two losses to the Baltimore Ravens . This season ended with a devastating loss in Denver to Tim Tebow.

This Super Bowl season started 6-2 before losing to New England in Week 10 to go to 6-3. Their only other loss was at home to Brad Smith and the New York Jets . They won the division at 12-4 before losing to the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl.

The defending Super Bowl champs started 6-2 but hit a five-game losing streak, including an overtime thriller against Baltimore that Dennis Dixon almost won for the Steelers. They finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs, the only 6-2 team to miss the post-season.

This Super Bowl season started 6-2 but lost to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10 to fall to 6-3. They only lost one more game and won the division at 12-4. They beat the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

Mike Tomlin's first season in Pittsburgh started 6-2 They finished 10-6 to win the division. They lost to David Gerrard and the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs.

Other 6-2 Starts for the Steelers: