Unfortunately I was at the game yesterday. Given that I don’t live in the area anymore, it was the first one I’ve attended in years.
Ben was brutal. He missed so many throws that we are just not accustomed to seeing. As bad as the Steelers played, he missed 2 easy TD throws (one to Claypool and the other with about 5 minutes left in the 4th). He was also inaccurate on many of the short throws. Combined with the interceptions and sacks, maybe one of the worst games I’ve ever seen him play.
The offensive line was getting destroyed on every single play. Every one of them was getting beat. Combined with the false starts and holdings, just a brutally bad game. I don’t know where they go from here but the team has little chance of winning with the line playing like that. The crowd was deflated very early on.
The defense played well enough early on. Ultimately, they just weren’t able to get much pressure the entire game. They gave up way too many big plays against the run and pass. I’m not too concerned since they’ll improve if/when they get healthy. This is what may keep them from a top 10 pick.
As if we needed any other issues, punting game was awful and Boswell missed a FG.
Finally the offensive play calling was ridiculously uncreative. Obviously what they’re doing isn’t working. Can’t they try a trick play or something?
One question- are they pumping noise in the stadium? At one point in the 4th quarter, the stadium got loud on a defensive 3rd down play. My whole section had already lost interest in the game at that point. Hard to imagine that the crowd would suddenly get into it after witnessing that performance.