There is a playoff berth and an AFC North title still for the taking, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have clinched a winning season and made some history in the process.
The Steelers improved to 9-3 and tied an NFL record with their 21st straight non-losing season -- 18 of them coming with Mike Tomlin as head coach -- following their 44-38 victory Sunday over the rival Cincinnati Bengals.
The 21 consecutive seasons of finishing at .500 or better are tied with the Dallas Cowboys from 1965-1985 as the most in league chronicle.
Pittsburgh's streak of consistent success dates back to the final seasons of Bill Cowher's Hall of Fame coaching career. Tomlin took over in 2007, and his 18 consecutive seasons without a losing campaign is a growing record that is now four seasons longer than any other such streak to begin a head coach's career.
The Steelers can pass Hall of Famer Tom Landry's '65-'85 Cowboys next year with a 22nd non-losing season. Tomlin, meanwhile, is gaining on Landry and Bill Belichick for the most consecutive non-losing seasons overall. Belichick tallied 19 straight (2001-2019) with the New England Patriots, which trails Landry's 21.
While Tomlin, 52, and the Steelers' consistent achievement has been historical, the 2024 squad is on a faster and far more successful track than recent teams. Pittsburgh didn't clinch a non-losing campaign until Week 17 last season and in 2021, and Week 18 in 2022.
This year, the Steelers are off to a 9-3 start, atop the AFC North and in contention for the AFC’s top seed, whilst maintaining their historic mark.
