Fansided

6 teams poised to finally return to the NFL playoffs in 2020

By Andrew Kulp

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 23: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 23: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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It's been two years since Ben Roethlisberger and coach Mike Tomlin led the Pittsburgh Steelers to the NFL playoffs.
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin look on against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 30, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers

With three weeks remaining in the 2019 season, the Steelers were one of the hottest teams in the NFL, winners of eight of their previous 10 games. That was with some combination of Mason Rudolph or Duck Hodges at the helm of the league’s 31st-ranked passing offense.

Imagine how far the team could’ve gone with a healthy Ben Roethlisberger.

The flimsy house of cards that was Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation collapsed and the club’s playoff hopes along with it in a three-game losing streak to close out the year. Still, there were a lot of positive takeaways from that impressive mid-season run.

The defense became dominant following the trade for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. James Washington and Diontae Johnson emerged as legitimate complementary receivers to JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Perhaps most notable of all, coach Mike Tomlin regained control of the locker room after the previous season’s Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell debacles created a fissure.

Sure, Roethlisberger is 38 and coming off an injury to his throwing elbow, so it’s possible he alone can’t right the ship. He’s also only one year removed from throwing for 5,129 yards and 34 touchdowns — both career highs — while even with merely competent quarterback play, the Steelers would’ve reached the postseason in 2019.

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