The Pittsburgh Steelers can wrap up their first AFC North title since 2020 this weekend. Mike Tomlin can tie the legendary Chuck Noll as the winningest coach in franchise history.
The Steelers (9-6) would clinch the division title on Sunday if they can beat the lowly Browns (3-12) at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland. The Steelers could also be division champions by the time they take the field on Sunday if the Baltimore Ravens (7-8) lose to the Packers (9-5-1) on Saturday night in Green Bay.
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Tomlin would also notch his 193rd career victory if the Steelers beat the Browns. Noll coached the Steelers from 1969-91 and won four Super Bowls.
Yet Tomlin isn’t excited about those seemingly important matters. Instead, Tomlin is focused on one of his favorite things – playing against a fellow AFC North rival.
“These waters run deep in divisional play,” Tomlin said. “I’m excited about it. I’m sure our team will be. We better put together a good plan. We better have a no-blink mentality. It’s December. It’s that time of year. We anticipate being challenged and challenged in a big way. That’s life in this league. But that’s what we love. The competitors that we are, we love that.”
The Browns have lost four games in a row while the Steelers are on a three-game winning streak. However, Tomlin is cognizant that the Steelers have lost in each of their last three trips to Cleveland. The Steelers also had an opportunity to win the AFC North last season, but lost their last four regular-season games.
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“Divisions are won on the road in those hostile environments in those opposing cities, and certainly, we’ve had our issues in recent years in Cleveland,” Tomlin said. “And so, with that understanding, we’re preparing, and preparing with an edge. We were in a similar circumstance a year ago at the doorstep in Baltimore and weren’t able to get it done. I’m excited to be here, but also urgent about where we are.”
As far as tying Noll’s record, Tomlin says he doesn’t have time to think about it with the Steelers battling for one of the last three open NFL playoff spots.
“I’m appreciative of some of those things. It’s been a blessing, but really of no relevance as I stand here today leaning in on this Cleveland Browns opportunity this week,” Tomlin said on Tuesday during his weekly news conference. “There are just so many people in this collective that it doesn’t apply to, and with football being what it is, the ultimate team game, I better display that focus.”