The Pittsburgh Steelers saw their season come to an end losing at Baltimore 28-14. Here are my quick observations on the loss.
Offense
-Win the toss and take the ball? You’re on the road. Take the ball to start the second half when the crowd is still getting a beer. One first down and then a punt.
-A flea-flicker on the first play of the second drive? Might want to actually set that up before you call it.
-I’m sorry Pat Freiermuth (3 Rec 15 yards) but you gotta get that first down. Third and two and you can’t reach for the first? He was a non-factor all game long.
-George Pickens (5 Rec 87 yards TD) with such a blatant offensive pass interference that no one even questioned it.
-98 yard drive on their first possession of the second half. Didn’t see that coming but it was needed. Russell Wilson (20/29 270 yards 2TD) to Van Jefferson (2 Rec 37 yards TD) for the score.
-Good throw and catch from Russ to Pickens for the second TD. Pickens did a nice job of avoiding the big hit.
-Wilson throwing to Calvin Austin III (Rec 25 yards) on fourth and long while covered by three guys summed up the entire evening.
-Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren combined for eight carries and 23 total yards. I can’t even begin to explain how awful this is.
Defense
-Awful first defensive drive. Let the Ravens march 95 yards like a hot knife thru butter.
-Really have to question just how badly these guys want it. Ravens are killing them off the ball on every play.
-Kirk Herbstriet nailed it. “Where is the fight?”
-I appreciate the fight of Elandon Roberts, DeShon Elliott and Payton Wilson tonight.
-The Steelers used to attack Lamar Jackson by hitting him every play with the edge rusher. Now we just have T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith tackling backs who don’t have the ball.
-Steelers pull to within 14 and get the Ravens into a second and 20. Next play? First down. Three plays later Derrick Henry runs for a score. Just brutal.
-Henry getting to the second level almost every time. Massive help needed on the D-Line.
-Cam Heyward (10 tackles and 2 TFL) deserves better.
-T.J. Watt literally was invisible tonight. He didn’t even make the stat line.
-298 rushing yards surrendered. What happened to the Pittsburgh Steelers I once knew?
-Minkah Fitzpatrick and Donte Jackson looked like they would have rather been anywhere else tonight.
Special Teams
-Pretty average night for this group.
Coaching
-Once again totally unprepared and outcoached to begin a postseason game. Incredibly disheartening yet not unexpected.
-I suppose Arthur Smith deserves some credit. There wasn’t one toss sweep called tonight.
Officiating
-Very little to complain about but the lack of holding calls is concerning. Been that way all year though.
Up Next: Season is Over
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