The Pittsburgh Steelers are a nice team. They aren’t good, they aren’t bad, they’re just…. “Nice.”
That’s really the only way I can describe them after they fell to 6-5 today following a 31-28 loss in Chicago. The Steelers are now tied atop the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens at 6-5. If you didn’t think the Ravens would catch the Steelers – considering their injuries and difficult, early schedule – then I honestly don’t know what to tell you.
As for the Steelers, today was the epitome of what they’ve become under Mike Tomlin. There were flashes of greatness at times. From T.J. Watt’s strip sack and Nick Herbig’s resulting touchdown to the superb play calling and execution of the first half. Then halftime happened.
The Steelers received the kick to open the third quarter and did nothing with it. They would go on to score just seven points in the second half and those came off a long drive that took precious time off the clock in the fourth quarter. For all of the good faith Arthur Smith’s unit created in the first two quarters, the final two left us hollow inside.
Mason Rudolph looked decent at times but any thought that he’s the “future” went out the window. His deep balls, once his best asset, came up short or off target altogether. He rarely threw the ball over the middle (a staple of Mike Tomlin offenses when he doesn’t have a Hall of Fame QB) and struggled with pocket presence. Another staple of his career. It was perhaps fitting that his best moment of the game came on a beautiful scramble up the middle for a first down in the fourth quarter that was brought back by a penalty.
Rudy is what he is. He’s a capable backup who needs a running game and a solid defense. It’s that last part that was truly lacking today. The running game flourished for the most part. 186 yards rushing on 36 carries should be more than enough to win you a game. Not today. The defense had more (insert your own air quotes) “communication issues.” One of D.J. Moore’s touchdown receptions was so easy he looked stunned that no one was within 10 yards of him. This defense, that once referred to itself as “historic” in the preseason, looks anything but.
With six games remaining, the Steelers of 2025 could win all six or lose all six. That’s what happens when you’re not good or not bad, but just “nice.” To be really honest though, I don’t find anything nice about it.
