SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The ‘Looking Back to Look Forward’ Edition

Good Wednesday to you Steelers fans.

Over the course of the next 11 days, the Pittsburgh Steelers will play two games. One on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals and then one on the following Thursday against the New England Patriots. Both of those games are in the friendly confines of Acrisure Stadium and these two teams currently have a combined record of 4-19. It would be extremely easy to just suggest that these two games are going to be easy victories. In reality, they should be. Neither of these teams is good. In fact, they are two of the worst teams in the NFL but… There is absolutely no reason for the Pittsburgh Steelers to be looking past either of these teams. They only need to look back over recent seasons to see games eerily similar that somehow ended in defeat. The Steelers should also look around the league period. Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles, is there really a dominant team that can walk on to the field and say, “We aren’t losing this game?” Sure, you could make arguments for San Francisco and a handful of other teams but there have been way too many games this season in which the underdog has risen up and bitten the favorite. And let’s be honest; Bill Belichick has one hell of a record against the Steelers so that game shouldn’t be overlooked period. I’m sure Mike Tomlin will be encouraging a ‘one game at a time’ mantra and he should be. Any letdown could be devastating to the the team’s playoff chances.

Steelers History

This week in Steelers History, Gordon takes us back (well, not TOO far back) to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Heinz Field. With Ben Roethlisberger already out with a knee injury and Michael Vick dealing with a bad hamstring, Landry Jones took the reins!

Snap Thoughts

Really interesting balance between Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Muth had 42 snaps while Washington had 37. That’s 59% and 52% of the total offensive snaps respectively. With the impressive performance of Muth, I wonder if this shifts at all this week… Damontae Kazee, Elandon Roberts and Joey Porter, Jr were the only defenders to play all 43 snaps on defense in Cincinnati… You’ll also note that the 43 total snaps for the defense was indicative of an improved job by the offense… The fairly equal balance between Najee Harris (38) and Jaylen Warren (34) continued. I think as the season rolls on we’ll continue to see this and Mike Tomlin will probably go with the guy who has the “hot hand” so to speak… Markus Golden and Nick Herbig (who made a huge play) were on the field defensively for just four and three plays respectively. This is what happens when the D doesn’t have to be on the field a ton. You can stick with your starters.

DJ Apology

By now, I’m guessing that Coach Tomlin has had a conversation or two with Diontae Johnson regarding his lack of effort Sunday. I’m also going to assume that the P.R. folks have also spoken with Johnson. I’m assuming these things because Johnson made an apology of sorts today. (Quotes courtesy espn.com)

“That’s not me as a player,” he said. “One play doesn’t define me, never will. I didn’t come up playing football like that, so obviously it looks bad on film. From here on out, just going forward, just be smart, keep playing til the whistle blows.”

My teammates, they know how I feel and how I should go about the situation,” Johnson said. “Next time it occurs or whatever, I own up to it. I’m not perfect.”

Johnson later added: “I feel like I did the right thing by standing up in front of the team and telling them, owning up to my mistake. All I can do is just move forward.”

Johnson HAD to address this. I couldn’t see a scenario where he didn’t. I’m glad he stood up in front of his teammates to address this as well. It’s something in team sports that we often see -accountability – and I’m thrilled the team held him to that.