The Pittsburgh Steelers dropped their fourth straight game losing 19-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals. Here are my quick observations on the game.
Offense
-Clearly the offense saw the defense open the game with an awful drive and said “hold our beer.”
-Terrific catch by Mike Williams (Rec. 25 yards) on the second drive. Culminates in a TD for Najee Harris (12 Car 36 yds TD). Little bit of help with two flags on Cam Taylor-Britt.
-At some point Arthur Smith has to realize he doesn’t always have to go “run, run, pass.”
-You can’t get one yard?? Why not use Justin Fields there on a sneak?
-Russell Wilson (17/31 148 yards TD) looks lost. Holding the ball too long too. Teams are on to him. Take away the first option and force him out of the pocket or into a sack. He was sacked four times.
-I’m not going to put all of those sacks on Wilson because Dan Moore was atrocious giving up 3.5 of the four.
-With 10 minutes left in the game the Steelers had 96 yards of offense. That’s an indictment of every player and every coach. The Bengals have had one of the worst defenses all year.
-Here’s George Pickens’ night. Six targets, one reception, zero yards, three drops and a verbal altercation with fans while on the sidelines. I’m totally good with trading this guy.
-Pat Freiermuth had a superb evening with eight catches and 85 yards and a TD but he will no doubt lose sleep over dropping that last ball. I have no clue if they would have been able to spike the ball in time but it would have been close.
-One of the most important drives of the season… Najee is getting looked at in the blue tent and Arthur Smith deploys Cordarrelle Patterson. I just don’t get it. Jaylen Warren had just six touches the whole game. Make it make sense.
Defense
-Just a brutal opening series for the defense. Too much cushion. No pressure on Joe Burrow. Embarrassing.
-Body language on the second drive was telling.
-What a great play by Beanie Bishop to concentrate and intercept that ball in the red zone.
-Patrick Queen has been everywhere tonight. Kudos to Payton Wilson and DeShon Elliott as well.
-Not sure why Joey Porter, Jr wasn’t on Ja’Marr Chase more. Cory Trice was tasked with covering the all-pro a lot more.
-If Cam Heyward isn’t an All-Pro… Three passes deflected and a sack. At his age?? He has to be an All-Pro in my mind.
-Twice we gave them the ball in our half of the field in the second quarter and only surrendered three. Very fortunate.
-What a bull rush from Cam Heyward. He and Nick Herbig crushed Joe Burrow for a huge sack.
-Pretty underwhelming night for T.J. Watt. He had one strip sack taken away by a defensive holding call and was otherwise invisible. That’s probably a bit harsh. He forced Burrow to get rid of it early or bail from the pocket several times… I guess I’ve grown to expect more.
-What a play by Keannu Benton to trip up Joe Burrow on third down before the two minute warning.
Special Teams
-You gotta have that ball more secure than that Calvin Austin. Huge turnover right after a sack from Preston Smith.
-Chris Boswell didn’t get the NFL record for field goals in a season falling four short. He was perfect on the night however going 2/2 on his PATs and 1/1 on his field goals.
-Great job by Connor Heyward getting on that ball after it hit a Bengals’ player on the fourth quarter punt.
Officiating
-Replay assist, used subjectively, does not work.
-An obvious “leading with the crown of the helmet” and Replay Assist wasn’t used. Ridiculous.
Coaching
-How can a staff be so outcoached to start a game literally every week? I just don’t get it. Although I believe it has a lot to do with not changing things up enough.
-A lot of problems can be immediately cured with a postseason win but I’m not so sure in this case. Mike Tomlin and most of his staff should be embarrassed.
Up Next: If the LA Chargers defeat the Raiders Sunday then Pittsburgh will travel to Baltimore. If the Chargers lose, Pittsburgh will head to Houston.
Photo courtesy sportingnews.com
