In the last six years the Patriots met and eliminated the Steelers from the playoffs exactly once, so I think their own incompetence is to blame.
Was curious about this, so went to look it up, thinking the Patriots might have taken away byes by beating them during the regular season.
A quick look, ignoring last year, when the Steelers actually won:
2017:
Patriots home field advantage through the playoffs
The Steelers -lost- at home vs the Jags... so I'd blame them there, but they might have had home field advantage through the playoffs and played... KC?
2016:
Steelers finished third probably wouldn't have gotten a bye anyway.
2015:
Bengals won division by two games. Meh.
2014:
Steelers win division, Patriots get bye by 1 game, but Steelers did not play NE that year.
2013:
Bengals win division by 3 games.
MEHHH.
Yeah, looking at that, I'd agree with that assessment.