SCB Steelers’ Quick Hitters: The “Trainwreck” Edition

Good Monday to You Steelers’ Fans.

We have officially reached the point where the Pittsburgh Steelers are the trainwreck that everyone else is slowing down to see. The defense is bad. The offense was missing in action and the coaching is flat-out awful. Many will suggest the defense “wasn’t that bad” last night and there’s some evidence to suggest that after the first quarter they kept the team in the game but we can’t dismiss the horrible start. It was the same comedy of errors from miscommunication to just flat-out horrible coverage and no pressure. After rallying to tie the game before the half, the Steelers offense turtled like we’ve rarely seen. They ran just 23 plays in the second half and were completely outcoached (more on this below). At 1-2-1 the Steelers are in deep trouble and now have a Falcons’ offense coming in that can score in bunches.

In the first half, the Ravens were giving Ben Roethlisberger the middle of the field and he was taking it. In the second half, the Ravens adjusted. They started putting more guys at the line of scrimmage and then dropped one or two back into the middle on a much more consistent basis. Both Big Ben and Offensive Coordinator Randy Fichtner failed to adjust.

Tweet of the Day… There has to be a running game.

This was the 56th game in Ben Roethlisberger's career in which he threw the ball 40+ times.

The #Steelers are 18-37-1 in those games.

— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) October 1, 2018

Chris Boswell made both of his field goal attempts so there was a glimmer of sunshine.

I have seen absolutely ZERO impact on this secondary from Tom Bradley. He was supposed to eliminate the communication issues and get this unit back to fundamentals. Nothing has changed in either regard. Terrell Edmunds on at least two occasions committed the ‘sin of sins’ for a safety by letting receivers get behind him.

Mike Tomlin has to have the worst record in the NFL when it comes to challenging calls. Another horrible challenge cost his team a timeout. Furthermore, why didn’t he challenge whether Joe Flacco had indeed fumbled? Yes his arm came forward but with the tuck rule no longer a “thing” it could have really changed the game.

The lack of running game is why the Ravens were able to bottle up the passing game in the second half. When those deep safeties don’t have to inch closer to the line of scrimmage it makes a huge difference.

I don’t want to hear a damn thing about Le’Veon Bell and how he would have “been a difference maker last night.” Tell someone who cares.

If the Steelers had more guys who played with the passion of Vince Williams then maybe this defense would be on to something.

Tweet of the Day #2… Same thing two home games in a row now.

And with that kick, fans at Heinz field start walking to the exits.

— Charlie Batch (@CharlieBatch16) October 1, 2018

Speaking of the defense… Has anyone seen the defensive line? Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave have had zero impact on this defense through the first four games. Two of those guys make a ton of money and aren’t exactly earning it.

Vance McDonald had another very good game but he cannot let a defensive back strip the ball from him like that. Just can’t happen and it led to the Ravens going up 14-0 before we knew what hit us.

The absence of Mike Hilton was obviously glaring.

I do not understand for the life of me why Keith Butler/Mike Tomlin weren’t bringing more rushers. You’re already getting toasted when you have seven or eight dropping so why not at least try to force Flacco into mistakes?

There is an issue between Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger right now. I don’t know exactly what it is but something is going on. A further sign of this team’s troubles inside the locker room.

Try to have a good day Steeler Nation!

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