Good Monday to you Steelers’ fans.
And what a terrific Monday it is. I have to admit that beating Cleveland hasn’t been that big of a deal in recent years. After all it was always pretty much expected wasn’t it? It all changed when the Browns suddenly became everyone’s Super Bowl favorite. Then it really changed after the Browns beat the Steelers on the field and with a helmet two weeks ago. These are my thoughts from yesterday’s win over the Browns.
On Offense
-What the Steelers got from Duck Hodges yesterday was exactly what they should have expected. He managed the game well. He took shots when they were there and he made the occasional mistake. Let’s remember he’s a rookie. He made a rookie mistake when he tried to switch the ball to his left hand to throw it away as he was being sacked. He fumbled it but thankfully it went out of bounds before being recovered. As for his interception, I had the feeling it was a miscommunication between he and the receiver. I’ll check this when I watch film today.
-Regardless, the ‘Quack Attack’ worked on Sunday and Hodges has my vote to move forward as the starting QB for the next game at least.
-James Washington is the definition of the “arrow up” guy. Each and every game he seems to make a play or two, as he did Sunday, that make us realize just how good this young man can be.
-The offensive line got off to a slow start but boy did they pick it up. With Benny Snell, Jr plowing behind them, they just kept moving the pile enough to move the sticks and keep the offense is manageable situations.
-Randy Fichtner’s gameplan yesterday was very good yet his red zone play-calling continues to boggle my mind. Why on Earth would you run Snell wide? He’s proven to be a “between the tackles” runner. I don’t think the fade into the corner was especially wise either but it was safe and picked up a key pass interference call. So all in all a very up and down day for Fichtner.
-Too many dead ball penalties yesterday. The Steelers overcame many of them but they have to find more discipline in games down the stretch. (I’ll have more on the officials below)
-Good to see Vance McDonald get involved. His huge third down conversion was exactly what we expect from him.
Tweet of the Day… In case you missed this from last night. I sure did like the 1pm games….
Bills-Steelers flexed to SNF in Week 15.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2019
On Defense
-If T.J. Watt isn’t in the top five for the Defensive Player of the Year Award then there should be an investigation. Let me give you and example of his impact and this wasn’t a play where hit Baker Mayfield or created a fumble. Watt immediately read that Mayfield was throwing a quick screen to his side. Rather than rush, Watt moved up field, got his hands in the air and leaped at full extension. This caused Mayfield to put too much air on the pass and result in an incompletion. You just don’t teach that kind of awareness.
-What a performance from Javon Hargrave. He was a pain in the Browns’ rear end for most of the day but especially in the second half. He should have been credited with two sacks rather than one but that’s why it’s a team game. I really hope the Steelers can re-sign him.
-This unit is good. And it’s even better when Vince Williams is out there. Any great defense has a Vince Williams. Hustle, leadership, you name it. He’s a Steeler through and through.
-What a great moment for Joe Haden. Capping the win with a pick could not have been any sweeter.
Other Notes
-Just keep on doing what you do Chris Boswell. I guarantee you we are paying attention.
-What an awful series of calls that the officiating crew butchered Sunday. Bud Dupree’s personal foul was as textbook of a hit as you can imagine. False start on Duck Hodges?? FOR WHAT?!? And the ridiculous lack of a reversal on the downed punt? What in the hell is going on with these officials?
-Karma is a bitch and the Browns’ Head Coach Freddie Kitchens can attest to it. His “Pittsburgh started it” t-shirt choice on Friday night was immature and poked fun at an ugly moment in the NFL. Ramon Foster’s comments postgame were spot on.
-Make no mistake here people, EVERY fan base has its’ share of idiots and the Steelers are no different. I’ve heard from several people in attendance that Steelers’ fans were taunting Browns’ fans who were minding their own business. In some cases, the Steelers’ fans were removed. If both groups are going at each other then so be it, but don’t be the person who rips on other fan bases for their behavior and then goes on to act like this. Remember who you represent.
-I have no idea how this season ends for the Steelers but to get here from 0-3 and 1-4 is pretty incredible.
Have a great Victory Monday Steeler Nation!
QH is presented by
1 comment
You are spot on with the very bad calls by the officials of this game. Lately I’ve seen a lot of bad calls in the last few weeks of Steelers games. It’s unbelievable that the college officials make better calls in their games than nfl officials. Makes me wonder if they are fixed. Bro offials are to be the best of the best but I see way to many mistakes. Mabey they need younger and smarter officials in the nfl ?