Don’t fall for it.

Many narratives in 2024 are dominated by recency bias. The NFL may be dominated the most by it. Pittsburgh Steeler fans, do not fall for it. I will state the reality clearly: The Pittsburgh Steelers (and the fanbase) set out on this journey with a few goals, 1. Make the playoffs. 2. Win the Division. 3. Win a playoff game. 4. Win the Championship. These goals have to be achieved in an order. The Steelers lost yesterday in Philadelphia to a really good team. Despite the recency of that hurt, that disappointment, that reality, which of the four goals above is rendered impossible with that loss? None of them. They actually achieved the first goal by virtue of their record and wins (not just that the Dolphins and Colts lost). This week will be a short week for the Steelers; however, it will be a long week for those of us forced to read narrative after narrative that the Steelers are pretenders, the Steelers are faltering, the Steelers are limping into the playoffs. The recency of losing a game that truly turned on 2 plays will feed the narrative. The recency of having a bad game that does not mean much toward the above goals will sit heavy if we let it. The Steelers losing a game that had no impact on their Division title path, their current AFC seeding, or ability to achieve any of the four primary goals above should not overwhelm you. Last week the Buffalo Bills were “in trouble” as they lost to the Rams. This Monday morning everyone is ready to put a gold jacket on Josh Allen. Recency bias is a powerful thing. Don’t fall for it.

Stay tuned for several more articles this week. As the road gets narrow there will be plenty of opporturnity to remember the positives.