Aug 30, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long history of playing hard-nosed football, and one impressive statistic illustrates how effective that style has been for them under head coach Mike Tomlin.

The Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 18-16 on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. All 16 of their points came on Chris Boswell field goals. Believe it or not, the win marked the fifth time under Tomlin that the Steelers have found a way to beat an opponent without scoring a single touchdown.

As Alex Kozoro of Steelers Depot noted, the Steelers have gone 5-10 in games where they do not score a touchdown since Tomlin became the team's head coach in 2007. That is a .333 win percentage. All other teams are 39-544-1 when they have not scored a touchdown during that same span, which is .068 win percentage.

That is hardly a coincidence. Tomlin has never had a losing season in his 17 years as head coach in Pittsburgh. The 8-2 Steelers are just one win away from assuring that Tomlin has an 18th consecutive season of .500 or better with the team.

Part of the reason Tomlin has been so successful is that the Steelers keep games competitive and win with great defense. That formula has worked for them, and it is the reason they can play opponents close even without finding the end zone.

The Steelers got some help on Sunday from an uncharacteristic Derrick Henry blunder, but they also managed to slow down a Ravens offense that has been the best in the NFL this season. Victories like the one Pittsburgh had on Sunday are what separate Tomlin from the rest of the league.