Steelers’ 4-2 Record in 2025: How Mike Tomlin’s One-Score Game Wins Keep Them Leading AFC North

The Pittsburgh Steelers have surged to a 4-2 record in the 2025 NFL season, led by head coach Mike Tomlin’s mastery of close-game situations. Their ability to secure narrow victories has propelled them to the top of the fiercely competitive AFC North division.

Despite preseason doubts, Tomlin’s squad continues to defy expectations with resilient performances and clutch execution. As the Steelers aim to maintain their divisional lead, their upcoming schedule will test whether this early success is sustainable.

Steelers’ Strong 4-2 Start in 2025: Can They Sustain AFC North Dominance?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have kicked off the 2025 NFL season with a promising 4-2 record, currently leading the fiercely competitive AFC North division. Head coach Mike Tomlin has once again demonstrated his ability to steer the team through early challenges, silencing preseason skeptics. The Steelers’ success hinges on their signature resilience, with an offense averaging 25.0 points per game and a defense that remains among the league’s most formidable units.

Key to their strong start has been improved offensive line play and red zone efficiency—areas that plagued them in 2024. Their Week 2 last-second field goal victory over the Browns and Week 4 goal-line stand against the Bengals showcase their ability to win close games. These clutch performances have become a hallmark of Tomlin’s teams.

Tomlin’s consistency is remarkable, but this year feels different. The AFC North might be the toughest division in football right now.

Critical Early Season Wins:

• Week 2 vs Browns: 23-20 (OT walk-off field goal)
• Week 4 @ Bengals: 24-20 (Fourth quarter comeback)
• Week 6 vs Ravens: Key divisional victory

Mike Tomlin’s One-Score Game Sorcery: Breaking Down the Close Win Phenomenon

Mike Tomlin’s Steelers have developed an almost supernatural ability to win close contests. In 2025, three of their four victories have come by one-score margins, continuing a trend that dates back years. This “Tomlin Magic” in tight games has become both celebrated and scrutinized.

Statistically, teams that win multiple one-score games early tend to regress later. The Steelers defy this every year—that’s coaching excellence.

The psychological edge Pittsburgh maintains in pressure situations stems from Tomlin’s leadership philosophy. Players frequently credit his unflappable sideline demeanor for their late-game composure. Since 2020, the Steelers boast a league-best .721 win percentage in games decided by 7 points or fewer.

Components of Clutch Performance:

• Defensive red zone stops (league-leading 38% TD rate allowed)
• Fourth quarter time of possession dominance (+5:12 avg)
• Opponent field goal percentage under pressure (72% vs Steelers)

The AFC North Race: Can the Steelers Hold Off Ravens and Browns?

While Pittsburgh currently leads the division at 4-2, both Baltimore (3-2) and Cleveland (3-3) remain within striking distance. The AFC North has emerged as perhaps football’s most balanced division, with all four teams fielding playoff-caliber rosters.

The remaining schedule presents major challenges:

• Two games against each divisional rival
• Primetime matchups against Kansas City and Buffalo
• Three-game road stretch Weeks 11-13

The Week 10 Thursday night game in Baltimore might decide the division. Pittsburgh’s road struggles under the lights concern me.

Analysts note the Steelers face more remaining games against current playoff teams (5) than either Baltimore (4) or Cleveland (3). Their ability to maintain this early lead may come down to quarterback health across the division and performance in critical divisional matchups.

AFC North Remaining Strength of Schedule:

• Steelers: .561 opponent win percentage
• Ravens: .517 opponent win percentage
• Browns: .492 opponent win percentage

Offensive Evolution: Has Pittsburgh Finally Fixed Their Scoring Woes?

The Steelers offense currently ranks 12th in scoring at 25.0 PPG—a marked improvement from their 21.2 PPG average in 2024. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system appears to be clicking better in Year Two, though inconsistency remains.

The running game deserves particular praise:

• 4.3 yards per carry (up from 3.8 in 2024)
• 12 rushing touchdowns through 6 games (had 9 all last season)
• 68% success rate on third-and-short runs

They’re running smarter, not just harder. The outside zone concepts are creating better angles against modern defenses.

Questions persist about their ability to score against elite defenses. In their two losses (vs Patriots, @ Bills), Pittsburgh averaged just 16.5 points. The Week 8 matchup against Philadelphia’s top-ranked defense will reveal if this offensive improvement is legitimate.

Quarterback Comparison:

The Tomlin Factor: Can His Historic Streak Survive the Tough AFC North?

Mike Tomlin’s remarkable record of never having a losing season since 2007 stands as potentially his most impressive accomplishment—one now under legitimate threat. While Pittsburgh sits at 4-2, advanced metrics suggest they’ve outperformed underlying statistics.

Three factors that could end the streak:

• Brutal November schedule (@KC, vsPHI, @BAL)
• Injury concerns at linebacker and wide receiver
• Historically poor Thursday night road performance under Tomlin

His streak reminds me of Marty Schottenheimer’s consistency. But even great coaches eventually regress to the mean.

The Steelers organization faces philosophical questions about their future if the streak ends. Would ownership consider changes after consecutive late-season collapses? Tomlin’s ability to rally the team through adversity remains his greatest strength—but the 2025 season may test it like never before.

Tomlin Era Milestones:

• 15 consecutive non-losing seasons (2007-2024)
• 7 AFC North titles
• 3 AFC Championship appearances
• 1 Super Bowl victory (XLIII)