After a crushing loss to Buffalo, it’s time to question how this season ends for Pittsburgh.

My Hottest Take: Anything But 9-8, Please!

As crazy as it sounds, I’d feel better about Mike Tomlin if he experiences his first losing season this year. The Steelers have been stuck in the middle of the pack for the last few years: they are too bad to make a deep run into the playoffs, but too good to earn higher draft picks that can push them over the edge. It could definitely be worse (we’re not the Jets), but Pittsburgh is sick of mediocrity, and maintaining Tomlin’s perfect streak of winning seasons shouldn’t be the goal.

It’s time to go big or go home. Let the team prove they don’t need a rebuild, or let them fail and start over. It starts with doing away with the conservative playcalling on offense. Aaron Rodgers is tied for dead last in the league for intended air yards per pass attempt, a victim of a scheme that asks him to dink and dunk rather than turn loose. Rodgers has proven that he still has a live arm, and Metcalf and Austin both have the speed to get downfield. Rolling the dice and hunting big plays, especially in the middle of the field, will either elevate this team to a contender or net them better draft capital. Either way, it’s time to move on from mediocrity and being afraid to fail.

What You Need to Know: The Baltimore Ravens Loom

Pittsburgh might have it rough right now, but they still have the opportunity to take control of the AFC North this week. The Ravens have turned it around as of late after crumbling during Lamar Jackson’s absence, although they looked rough against the Bengals last week. The Ravens defense is certainly beatable, although the lethal presence of Kyle Hamilton will require some improved attention to detail from Pittsburgh’s pass catchers. Offensively, the two-headed monster of Jackson and Derrick Henry will demand perfection from TJ Watt and the front seven. Keeping Baltimore in check for two games is Pittsburgh’s easiest path to the playoffs, which means that this game couldn’t be more important.

Before You Go: Who’s The Real TE1?

The expectation coming into this season was that newcomer Jonnu Smith would battle with incumbent Pat Freiermuth to be the top tight end in this offense, but there would be enough room in Arthur Smith’s TE-heavy offense for both of them to eat. Through the last three games, however, they’ve both been eclipsed by Darnell Washington, who was projected to primarily be utilized as a blocker. While he’s certainly been effective in that aspect, he’s also earned the team’s trust as a receiver over the last few games. Washington’s massive frame and sure hands make him an easy target, and his ability to find yards after the catch continue to earn him more looks in the passing game. He’s made the most of limited opportunities, and there could be legitimate star potential if he’s given a higher workload. Look for Washington to continue to eclipse his teammates as the season progresses and Rodgers continues to grow comfortable with his biggest weapon.