The Steelers’ 3-0 start is their fastest start since 2010, and historically leads to a playoff berth

Entering the 2020 regular season the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base knew they had to get off to a fast start to the season. Their first four games were riddled with young quarterbacks and winnable games. If they just take care of business early, it could help with the tougher stretch of the season after the midway point.

After the team’s 28-21 win over the Houston Texans in Week 3 it is so far, so good for the black and gold.

The 3-0 start to the season is their best since 2010, and history shows us a fast start such as this has usually lead to a playoff berth.

Before the 2020 season, the Steelers have started seasons 3-0 eight other times, and have made the playoffs all but one year. And technically the team who didn’t make the postseason wasn’t the Steelers, but the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Just look at the franchise history of teams who started 3-0, and how their season’s ended:

1936 — Pittsburgh Pirates — 6-6 (missed playoffs)
1973 — Pittsburgh Steelers — 10-4 (lost divisional round)
1978 — Pittsburgh Steelers — 14-2 (won Super Bowl)
1979 — Pittsburgh Steelers — 12-4 (won Super Bowl)
1982 — Pittsburgh Steelers — 6-3 (lost wild card round)
1992 — Pittsburgh Steelers — 11-5 (lost divisional round)
2007 — Pittsburgh Steelers — 10-6 (lost wild card round)
2010 — Pittsburgh Steelers — 12-4 (lost Super Bowl)

While the result of the above seasons are not perfect, history shows starting fast can pay dividends. But this is just Steelers history. Recent history shows not all teams who start 3-0 are destined to make their mark on the postseason.

Since the merger, teams that start 3-0 make the playoffs 75% of the time. And this is before the new expanded playoffs. In fact, last year two teams who started 3-0 did not make the playoffs, the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams.

A 3-0 start is good, but what does a 4-0 start mean for the Steelers if they can beat the Tennessee Titans in Week 4? A 4-0 start has only happened three times in franchise history, with two of those equating in Lombardi trophies coming back to the Steel City.

1973 — Pittsburgh Steelers — 10-4 (lost divisional round)
1978 — Pittsburgh Steelers — 14-2 (won Super Bowl)
1979 — Pittsburgh Steelers — 12-4 (won Super Bowl)

There are those who scoff at history like this, suggesting every year is a different year and the past doesn’t prove the present or the future. Then there are those who look at historical data and feel as if it can prove valuable for the upcoming games for the Steelers.

Either way, history shows the Steelers’ start to the 2020 season can only enhance their odds of making the playoffs for the first time in two years.

For the latest news and notes on the Steelers, be sure to stay tuned to BTSC as the team prepares for the Titans, in Nashville, in Week 4.