The road to the postseason does not magically begin. It’s built—brick by brick—by franchises that work relentlessly through the grind of a long regular season. And even then, nothing is guaranteed. That uncertainty is what makes each matchup meaningful, especially for teams clinging to playoff aspirations. The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of those teams. Their desperation for a Week 12 victory is impossible to ignore.
After squandering multiple chances to establish a commanding lead in the AFC North, that opportunity has slipped away. Now, Mike Tomlin and his group must maximize every remaining moment, starting with Sunday’s clash against the Chicago Bears. It’s a tougher challenge than many expected and an important test for a shaky Steel Curtain eager to prove they’ve solved their defensive issues.
It’s also the perfect setup for a DJ Moore breakout game—if Pittsburgh isn’t careful.
Most Steelers fans aren’t trembling at the thought of facing Chicago, and they don’t need to be. But writing off this Bears team would be a costly mistake. Ben Johnson has his squad playing confident, disciplined football: they protect the ball, generate turnovers, and rarely beat themselves.
Quarterback Caleb Williams is developing quickly, giving Chicago enough firepower to threaten even elite defenses—let alone one as inconsistent as Pittsburgh’s.
The Pittsburgh Steelers cannot sleep on DJ Moore in a must-win Week 12 matchup
The surprising twist in Chicago’s season is the underwhelming production from veteran wide receiver DJ Moore. For years, Moore has made life miserable for opposing secondaries. His 7,952 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns since 2018 are impressive by any standard.
But in 2025, he’s been quiet—just 421 yards and one touchdown. That silence has opened the door for sophomore standout Rome Odunze, whose 600 yards and six touchdowns have overshadowed Moore’s contributions.
The season isn’t over, and ignoring a versatile veteran like Moore would be reckless. Every defensive coordinator in the league knows that quiet stars don’t stay quiet forever.
And unfortunately for Pittsburgh, limiting opposing receivers has not been its strength. Far from it. The Steelers have allowed a 100-yard receiver in eight games this year and currently rank dead last in passing yards allowed per game (261.7). It’s a glaring vulnerability heading into a matchup against a revitalized offense.
This is the nightmare scenario: a struggling pass defense facing a proven playmaker overdue for a signature performance.
Teryl Austin and his unit must treat Moore as a legitimate game-tilting threat. Bracketing him, forcing tight windows, disrupting timing, and disguising coverage—all must be on the table. Letting Caleb Williams settle in and take over a game with his arm would be malpractice, and allowing Moore to be the catalyst would be even worse.
For the Steelers, the mission is clear: don’t be the team that allows Moore to awaken at the worst possible time. A postseason push depends on it.