Good Monday to you Steelers fans.
With six minutes to go in the Super Bowl, both the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs had scored 35 points each. As I enjoyed the game’s ebbs and flows, I couldn’t help but keep coming back to one undeniable truth. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense isn’t even close to being able to do what the Chiefs and Eagles did. Even if Matt Canada’s offense improves its’ points per game average by a full touchdown then that still leaves them a full touchdown short of 35. These are however, not the type of games that Mike Tomlin wants to be part of anyway right? He’d prefer the ‘grind it out’ offensive approach and the ‘bend don’t break’ defensive approach and aspire to win 24-17. That’s all fine and good when you play nearly flawless and error-free football, but the league has changed drastically. As Ian has pointed out on our podcast several times, the last ten Super Bowls have featured teams with scoring offenses that rank in the top ten. I’m not dismissing defense by any stretch, but if you can’t score points in this league as it is currently designed (don’t forget the rules tilt heavily in favor of the offense too) then you aren’t going to Super Bowls let alone win them. In other words, Matt Canada has his hands full. Very, very full.
The Call
Eagles’ CB James Bradberry admitted after the game that he held JuJu Smith-Schuster. I agree. He did hold him and the flag was thrown. He also said he wished he’d gotten away with it and I agree with that too. This game, for 58 minutes, was decided by players. When that flag came out, that no longer was the case. The officials had ‘officially’ put their stamp on Super Bowl LVII. Should it have been called? I don’t think so but like Bradberry, I also admit he held Smith-Schuster. We robbed of a potentially awesome finish in the game but it is what it is now.
Tweet of the Day… I made clear on several occasions that I didn’t like some of the things that JuJu did while in Pittsburgh. The dancing on opposition logos and need to be on social media so much were two of the bigger irritants for me. But I also know the kid played his ass off. He often played hurt and he truly cared about his teammates and his time in the Steel City. I’m glad he won a Super Bowl. I’m sad it wasn’t with the Black and Gold, but he isn’t the first ‘former’ Steeler to go on a win the big one. All that said, the amount of pettiness some fans have towards JuJu is really sad.
Words can’t explain this moment! SUPER BOWL CHAMP!! pic.twitter.com/wroj5HQy0P
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) February 13, 2023
The Field
It is my understanding that the natural turf played on last evening in Arizona was a new breed of grass and it was the first time a game was played on it. I have a hard time believing the NFL would experiment with something like this on their grandest day, but the footing for these guy was bad most of the night. It also seemed to be worse anytime they were on the painted sections. It is literally beyond me how the biggest game of the year can be played on something like that.
On the Inside
While both teams put up a lot of points which indicates great skill position players, the play of the respective offensive lines cannot be overlooked. The Eagles, who had over 70 sacks in 2022, finished with ZERO. The Chiefs had just one and that was only because Jalen Hurts stepped out of bounds for a one-yard loss. If the Steelers drafted two offensive linemen with their first three selections I would not hate it at all. They have to get more physical up front period.
Halftime
Rhianna did a great job. Her first live performance in seven years went very well and kudos to her. Overall, it was an “OK” halftime but I also admit I’m getting to the point in my life where I just want to watch the game. The NFL is never going to find performers that appeal to everyone. I know this will fall on deaf ears but can we just go back to a marching band for ten minutes and play football?
One Final Thing
If I’m a teammate of Cam Heyward I’m giving him the business about getting run over by a 90lb girl in that commercial. I’m kidding. Great spot celebrating how influential football has become for women and girls. Good for Cam for being a part of it.
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