(Seattle) Pete Carroll and Mike Tomlin are close together on the list of winningest NFL coaches.
Carroll arrives at 13e rank in history with 180 victories (including playoffs). Right behind him is Tomlin, who has 179 wins.
Despite their success, the two coaches only faced each other four times before Sunday’s duel between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks.
The two clubs have rarely crossed swords, but there is a mutual respect between Carroll and Tomlin.
“He’s a really good person,” Carroll said. They are lucky to have had it for years; 16 years and no losing seasons. That’s a pretty good mark and it’s difficult to achieve. He has all my respect. »
The fifth meeting between the two men will probably be the most important for their teams because of the stakes.
Both clubs still have a chance to participate in the playoffs, although qualification seems more accessible for the Seahawks.
The Seahawks (8-7) must win against the Steelers and Arizona Cardinals to advance to the playoffs. It would be an 11e participation in 14 years for Carroll with the team.
On the Steelers side (8-7), a few options are possible. Wins against the Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens would help their case greatly, but even a loss on Sunday wouldn’t knock the Steelers out of the picture, based on results from other AFC games.
However, a victory would allow Tomlin to once again finish his season above the .500 mark.
PHOTO GENE J. PUSKAR, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin
The Seahawks lost four straight games, not helping their chances of qualifying, before winning 20-17 their last two outings.
After going 7-4, the Steelers lost three games in a row. They put the brakes on their ugly streak with a 34-11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week.
“At the end of the day, it’s the end of December, things are getting tough and it’s a very important game,” Tomlin said.
Longtime Steelers backup quarterback Mason Rudolph is expected to get his second straight start for his team. He had 290 passing yards, including two touchdown passes to George Pickens, last week.
The Steelers could also face a familiar face this Sunday. Former first-round pick Devin Bush could get his first start with his new team after signing a contract with the Seahawks during the off-season. The Seahawks don’t yet know if Jordyn Brooks will be able to play after aggravating an ankle injury last week against the Tennessee Titans.
“You have to balance the emotions of playing against your old team, but also focusing and knowing what you need to do,” Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner said. I think he’ll get through this. »