The Steelers finished 8-8 after a 6-3 start, so their final grades aren't going to be pretty after that final semester's work. Injuries undermined an already thin lineup, with players considered regulars or starters missing a sum total of 60 games this season. But the standard of play dropped precipitously in the final half of the season, with that 2-5 finish.
On Thursday, the day after tight end Heath Miller and cornerback Ike Taylor were added to IR, it was announced that Steelers teammates named their Pro Bowl tight end as team MVP -- the same day Miller underwent knee surgery. Here is the Rapid Reports version of team MVPs.
After losing five of their previous six games, the Steelers produced a season-high four turnovers and turned two of them into touchdowns. That proved to be the difference in a 24-10 defeat of Cleveland that pulled the door closed on a season draped in mediocrity and disappointment.
It wasn't much consolation, but the Steelers did manage to get an ugly win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday to wrap up their first non-playoff season since 2009. The Browns aren't participating in the postseason either, and the housecleaning may begin in Cleveland on Monday.
Neither the Steelers nor the Browns have much at stake other than pride, but Pittsburgh will be looking to finish at .500 for the ninth season in a row, so that should be incentive enough.
The Steelers roster is likely to see significant changes in the offseason, so don't be surprised if WR Mike Wallace and LB James Harrison are playing for other teams next year.
ThIn a classic reversal of fortune, the Bengals eliminate the Steelers from the playoffs, while guaranteeing themselves a second-straight postseason appearance for the first time in about 30 years.
