In a crucial Week 17 matchup, the Seattle Seahawks are gearing up to face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lumen Field. With just two games remaining, the Seahawks hope to clinch a playoff spot for the second consecutive year amidst a rollercoaster season filled with ups and downs.

While the Steelers may be longshots for the postseason, they have yet to be eliminated from playoff contention. Coming off their best offensive performance of the season, Pittsburgh is a team fighting for a Wild Card spot after making the decision to fire their offensive coordinator in late November.

To gain insights on this matchup, Jarrett Bailey, Deputy Editor of Behind the Steel Curtain, joins Field Gulls to discuss the Steelers' prospects. With the Steelers' young quarterback Mason Rudolph set to start for the second consecutive game following their biggest offensive output of the season, Bailey shares his thoughts on the ongoing search for a successor to Ben Roethlisberger. According to him, the future of the franchise is not currently on the roster. While Rudolph has shown promise, Bailey believes the Steelers should explore options such as Justin Fields or Kirk Cousins in the future.

Mike Tomlin, the long-tenured head coach of the Steelers, has enjoyed a successful run, including a pair of Super Bowl appearances and a Lombardi Trophy win. However, recent years have been challenging for the team, with just a single postseason victory since 2016. Bailey sheds light on the opinion among Steelers fans regarding Tomlin's future, mentioning that his position may be in question.

Seattle fans are familiar with the stars on their own roster, but Bailey highlights an unheralded player who could make an impact in the game. Calvin Austin, a speedy and elusive receiver, has shown his abilities with a 72-yard touchdown and a scoring play on a jet sweep. If the Steelers look to stretch the defense, a connection with Austin could prove fruitful.

The Steelers have struggled to put up points this season, while the Seahawks' defense has had its own challenges. The question arises - will the Steelers' offensive woes or the Seahawks' defensive struggles dictate the outcome? Bailey predicts that the Seahawks, with their more well-rounded team, superior coaching, and home-field advantage, will come out on top. Despite their defensive injuries, the Seahawks' defense shouldn't have too much trouble containing the Steelers' offense.

Looking ahead, Bailey predicts a Seahawks victory with a margin within a touchdown. The Steelers have not triumphed in Seattle since 1983, and Bailey doesn't believe that trend will change. The final score projection stands at 23-19 in favor of the Seahawks.

As the Seahawks and Steelers gear up for this crucial matchup, both teams have their sights set on the playoffs. With the Seahawks aiming to secure their postseason berth, and the Steelers fighting for their wildcard hopes, this game promises to be an exciting clash of two determined teams.