*** 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers: Sub-par performance, awful coaching and bad luck in week 16 (27 Viewers)

[sm8680]

I'm hoping we see a Jameis Winston pre LASIK when he was an interceptions machine. On the WFAN I forget who kept beating the drum that Jamies throws a ton of interceptions. I was kind of disappointed that none of the guys corrected him by saying that he's turned the corner since he had LASIK surgery in 2020.

 

[ThaPenguin]

The #Steelers have never won a road, divisional Thursday Night Football game. They're 0-7 all-time and 0-5 under Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin is 2-8 on the road on TNF.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I was pretty much was expecting a "Tomlin-esque" game in the offing after the win vs. Baltimore, and after the early uninspired playcalls on the 4th downs they didn't make I figured I should just stop watching then, but blaaaaargggh...

I don't care how lousy the weather was, the play calling on O over the course of the whole game (first half especially) was probably the worst it's been since Wilson took over. Not doing much to consistently shift help to Garrett's side until way too late in the game didn't help either, and he unsurprisingly ate Dan Moore's lunch. Just "meh" coaching decisions all around.

Defense looked like they didn't even wanna be there for most of the game. Can't stop Chubb when they KNOW it's going to be three straight runs. Letting the Browns go 4-for-4 on 4th down(?!). Can't lay a hand on "refrigerator on his back Jameis" on 4th and goal resulting in a TD. Finally get a couple big plays in the 4th, but then STs boners a punt and the defense can't keep an extremely mediocre offense from sticking it to them to ice the game in the final minute, due in no small part to being boneheaded between plays.

Richly deserved loss.

 

[3C's]

Chris Boswell now has 31 FGs, averaging nearly 3/game, and the all time record is 44. He could get there. I suppose that's something to cheer about.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Man. That declined penalty and timeout were killers. I would not have gone back to Fields that last time either. Too cute.

 

[ThaPenguin]

Man. That declined penalty and timeout were killers. I would not have gone back to Fields that last time either. Too cute.

Too many coaching errors to list. Absolute malpractice.

 

[Blick]

Man. That declined penalty and timeout were killers. I would not have gone back to Fields that last time either. Too cute.

Too many coaching errors to list. Absolute malpractice.

Ran the ball on first down 13 times vs 4 passes through the first three quarters. 2 of those passes came at the end of the half on a short clock. Given the line opened no holes, they were behind the chains all night. Run on 1st, run in second, chuck it deep on 3rd.

 

[Godsbrother]

Man. That declined penalty and timeout were killers. I would not have gone back to Fields that last time either. Too cute.

Too many coaching errors to list. Absolute malpractice.

Ran the ball on first down 13 times vs 4 passes through the first three quarters. 2 of those passes came at the end of the half on a short clock. Given the line opened no holes, they were behind the chains all night. Run on 1st, run in second, chuck it deep on 3rd.

Yes it was driving me nuts.

 

[ChiefD]

Man. That declined penalty and timeout were killers. I would not have gone back to Fields that last time either. Too cute.

Yeah. Could not believe they gave Cleveland an extra down there.

 

[ThaPenguin]

Man. That declined penalty and timeout were killers. I would not have gone back to Fields that last time either. Too cute.

Yeah. Could not believe they gave Cleveland an extra down there.

He was probably flabbergasted about the missed grounding call, but you gotta get it together and make the correct decision. Consult someone else if need be.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Man. That declined penalty and timeout were killers. I would not have gone back to Fields that last time either. Too cute.

Yeah. Could not believe they gave Cleveland an extra down there.

He was probably flabbergasted about the missed grounding call, but you gotta get it together and make the correct decision. Consult someone else if need be.

I think he DID. And they advised declining. At first it was accepted on the field, I believe.

Regardless, it was a bad decision. One of many. Those fourth down runs had my spirit leaving my body. "Need two feet? Line up with glacial Naj 7 yards off the ball in the I-formation." "Need two yards? Line up with glacial Naj 7 yards...." Those plays were doomed on the chalkboard.

 

[Snotbubbles]

PIT's next game against CIN is a huge game. That upcoming schedule is brutal.

 

[Grid71]

One division road loss isn't a big deal as long as the team continues to learn and improve. I'm still impressed with the Steelers this season. Cleveland was better in the trenches and the young OL couldn't get it done. It's quite surprising the Steelers almost won that game with so many failed 4th downs.

Looking forward, Tomlin and AS are sure to focus on short yardage plays. Sending out the goal line package at mid field isn't working. Need a better plan until the young guys gel. Next up Cinci

 

[menobrown]

PIT's next game against CIN is a huge game. That upcoming schedule is brutal.

I recall the Eagles having a crazy difficult stretch of a schedule last year and I thought it broke them, at minimum contributed to it. When the schedule came out that was on my mind for the Steelers. It's remained on my mind after their strong start knowing what lies ahead.

It's truly the most ridiculous schedule I've ever seen. Not only an incredibly difficult stretch of good, and physical teams, but they decided to just turn up the difficult meter and have the Steelers start this stretch by playing 3 games in 11 days, with that third game being the game last night.

 

[menobrown]

Man. That declined penalty and timeout were killers. I would not have gone back to Fields that last time either. Too cute.

Yeah, I hate to come pile on and think Mike T has been as good as ever this year but it's like that snow stuck up in his beard froze his brain or something.

Those two sequences and what I can only guess was them thinking they would "fool" the Browns putting in Fields to throw a deep pass when a simple first down would have all but won the game were exactly as you said, too cute.

 

[belljr]

Ftr- they ended up accepting the penalty. .. That's why it was 3rd and 7 and not 4th and two

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Sending out the goal line package at mid field isn't working.

It isn't working at the GL either.

 

[Godsbrother]

The shanked punt was a killer

 

[fred_1_15301]

PIT's next game against CIN is a huge game. That upcoming schedule is brutal.

The Steelers need 2 wins to make the playoffs. No way 10 wins doesn’t get them in. They need to beat Cleveland and win 1 of 2 vs Cincy. It’s possible. But doesn’t really matter - they are still likely 1 and done.

 

[fred_1_15301]

PIT's next game against CIN is a huge game. That upcoming schedule is brutal.

I recall the Eagles having a crazy difficult stretch of a schedule last year and I thought it broke them, at minimum contributed to it. When the schedule came out that was on my mind for the Steelers. It's remained on my mind after their strong start knowing what lies ahead.

It's truly the most ridiculous schedule I've ever seen. Not only an incredibly difficult stretch of good, and physical teams, but they decided to just turn up the difficult meter and have the Steelers start this stretch by playing 3 games in 11 days, with that third game being the game last night.

By that point last year, the Eagles were one of the worst teams in football. They would have lost to pretty much everyone. They’ve turned it around this year.

 

[menobrown]

PIT's next game against CIN is a huge game. That upcoming schedule is brutal.

I recall the Eagles having a crazy difficult stretch of a schedule last year and I thought it broke them, at minimum contributed to it. When the schedule came out that was on my mind for the Steelers. It's remained on my mind after their strong start knowing what lies ahead.

It's truly the most ridiculous schedule I've ever seen. Not only an incredibly difficult stretch of good, and physical teams, but they decided to just turn up the difficult meter and have the Steelers start this stretch by playing 3 games in 11 days, with that third game being the game last night.

By that point last year, the Eagles were one of the worst teams in football. They would have lost to pretty much everyone. They’ve turned it around this year.

They were 7-1 when they entered that stretch last year. Won the next 3. If you think they crumbled before and not during that stretch we will have to agree to disagree.

 

[fred_1_15301]

PIT's next game against CIN is a huge game. That upcoming schedule is brutal.

I recall the Eagles having a crazy difficult stretch of a schedule last year and I thought it broke them, at minimum contributed to it. When the schedule came out that was on my mind for the Steelers. It's remained on my mind after their strong start knowing what lies ahead.

It's truly the most ridiculous schedule I've ever seen. Not only an incredibly difficult stretch of good, and physical teams, but they decided to just turn up the difficult meter and have the Steelers start this stretch by playing 3 games in 11 days, with that third game being the game last night.

By that point last year, the Eagles were one of the worst teams in football. They would have lost to pretty much everyone. They’ve turned it around this year.

They were 7-1 when they entered that stretch last year. Won the next 2. If you think they crumbled before and not during that stretch we will have to agree to disagree.

They reminded me of the Steelers team that went 10-0 or 11-0 a couple years ago. They were frauds and exposed once they faced good teams (I.e. the Niners and Cowboys).

 

[menobrown]

PIT's next game against CIN is a huge game. That upcoming schedule is brutal.

I recall the Eagles having a crazy difficult stretch of a schedule last year and I thought it broke them, at minimum contributed to it. When the schedule came out that was on my mind for the Steelers. It's remained on my mind after their strong start knowing what lies ahead.

It's truly the most ridiculous schedule I've ever seen. Not only an incredibly difficult stretch of good, and physical teams, but they decided to just turn up the difficult meter and have the Steelers start this stretch by playing 3 games in 11 days, with that third game being the game last night.

By that point last year, the Eagles were one of the worst teams in football. They would have lost to pretty much everyone. They’ve turned it around this year.

They were 7-1 when they entered that stretch last year. Won the next 2. If you think they crumbled before and not during that stretch we will have to agree to disagree.

They reminded me of the Steelers team that went 10-0 or 11-0 a couple years ago. They were frauds and exposed once they faced good teams (I.e. the Niners and Cowboys).

Philly started that stretch of games with wins over Dallas, KC and Buffalo.

 

[fred_1_15301]

PIT's next game against CIN is a huge game. That upcoming schedule is brutal.

I recall the Eagles having a crazy difficult stretch of a schedule last year and I thought it broke them, at minimum contributed to it. When the schedule came out that was on my mind for the Steelers. It's remained on my mind after their strong start knowing what lies ahead.

It's truly the most ridiculous schedule I've ever seen. Not only an incredibly difficult stretch of good, and physical teams, but they decided to just turn up the difficult meter and have the Steelers start this stretch by playing 3 games in 11 days, with that third game being the game last night.

By that point last year, the Eagles were one of the worst teams in football. They would have lost to pretty much everyone. They’ve turned it around this year.

They were 7-1 when they entered that stretch last year. Won the next 2. If you think they crumbled before and not during that stretch we will have to agree to disagree.

They reminded me of the Steelers team that went 10-0 or 11-0 a couple years ago. They were frauds and exposed once they faced good teams (I.e. the Niners and Cowboys).

Philly started that stretch of games with wins over Dallas, KC and Buffalo.

They were winning but the wins were on the lucky/flukey side. You can probably ask Eagles fans and they’ll tell you that team last year wasn’t legit (even at that point in time). The defense was horrible.

 

[belljr]

Not worried. We're still the best team in the AFC

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

That should have been intentional grounding anyway.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

That should have been intentional grounding anyway.

It should have....but it shouldn't have mattered either way. They bonered up a winnable game with poor coaching decisions, mostly. The shanked punt was certainly the nail in the coffin, but poor playcalling decisions from earlier in the game made that more of "a thing" than it should have been. The more I've thought about it, the more those early 4th down calls make me want to break things. Bad decision to begin with, made worse by the horrible plays called.

Their "vaunted' defense still isn't stepping up as much as it should when it's needed, either (IMO, of course). They certainly did vs. the Ravens, which was a breath of fresh air, but I guess the powers that be decided half measures were good enough vs. an also ran like Cleveland? Pretty much vintage "Coach T 101", that. Re-watching the video of that 4th and goal were Winston ran it in while being timed with a sundial is...."educational."

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

That should have been intentional grounding anyway.

It should have....but it shouldn't have mattered either way. They bonered up a winnable game with poor coaching decisions, mostly. The shanked punt was certainly the nail in the coffin, but poor playcalling decisions from earlier in the game made that more of "a thing" than it should have been. The more I've thought about it, the more those early 4th down calls make me want to break things. Bad decision to begin with, made worse by the horrible plays called.

Their "vaunted' defense still isn't stepping up as much as it should when it's needed, either (IMO, of course). They certainly did vs. the Ravens, which was a breath of fresh air, but I guess the powers that be decided half measures were good enough vs. an also ran like Cleveland? Pretty much vintage "Coach T 101", that. Re-watching the video of that 4th and goal were Winston ran it in while being timed with a sundial is...."educational."

True, but the D did step up on that play and it should have been a sack/intentional grounding and 4th down and game over.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

That should have been intentional grounding anyway.

It should have....but it shouldn't have mattered either way. They bonered up a winnable game with poor coaching decisions, mostly. The shanked punt was certainly the nail in the coffin, but poor playcalling decisions from earlier in the game made that more of "a thing" than it should have been. The more I've thought about it, the more those early 4th down calls make me want to break things. Bad decision to begin with, made worse by the horrible plays called.

Their "vaunted' defense still isn't stepping up as much as it should when it's needed, either (IMO, of course). They certainly did vs. the Ravens, which was a breath of fresh air, but I guess the powers that be decided half measures were good enough vs. an also ran like Cleveland? Pretty much vintage "Coach T 101", that. Re-watching the video of that 4th and goal were Winston ran it in while being timed with a sundial is...."educational."

True, but the D did step up on that play and it should have been a sack/intentional grounding and 4th down and game over.

I guess. Immediately laid down after it though.

 

[Steeler]

Tomlin's handling of the end of 4th quarter in CLE compared with the end of the first half for BOTH teams on MNF (Ravens and Chargers) was night and day. Tomlin's terrible game management reared it's ugly head again in CLE. Both the Ravens and Chargers had all their timeouts at the 2 minute warning and then both teams executed to perfection.

 

[Godsbrother]

This game will tell us a lot about the 2024 Steelers. It’s a game they should and need to win.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

This game will tell us a lot about the 2024 Steelers. It’s a game they should and need to win.

Burrow is rhe X Factor here. Bengals D is suspect, as is their OL. But they ridiculously outclass Pittsburgh at QB.

If the Steelers allow Burrow to just stand back there without laying a hand on him (a la Winston last week) its going to be a bad day for them. Blitzers need to get home.

 

[geneyus]

Ready to move on from Pickens. One of the most talented WR’s the team has ever had but he’s a liability. It’s his third year in the league and he’s not getting it. Take the money marked for his next contract and give it to someone else.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Would be nice to see Barkley put cleat marks all over the Ravens to cap the afternoon.

 

[Grid71]

Great win!

Baltimore game O struggles followed by Cleveland game may have been the wake up call Tomlin needed to open up the offense.

Hearing a bunch of Bengals D sucks, which may be true. However Tomlin usually telegraphs run play after run play. It was refreshing to see a heavy dose of letting Russ cook. Really opened up the run. Had the Cinci D on their heels all day. Beautiful!!!

Biggest concern was the refs and Pickens. Didn’t call a ton of false starts on Orlando yet had a hard on for Joey. Pickens is lucky those blatant penalties didnt cost the team a well deserved W.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Great win!

Baltimore game O struggles followed by Cleveland game may have been the wake up call Tomlin needed to open up the offense.

Hearing a bunch of Bengals D sucks, which may be true. However Tomlin usually telegraphs run play after run play. It was refreshing to see a heavy dose of letting Russ cook. Really opened up the run. Had the Cinci D on their heels all day. Beautiful!!!

Biggest concern was the refs and Pickens. Didn’t call a ton of false starts on Orlando yet had a hard on for Joey. Pickens is lucky those blatant penalties didnt cost the team a well deserved W.

Great win - completely agree! Wilson played remarkable today. The offensive play calling was great! Yes the Bengals D is all time bad but the offense still had to execute and boy did they ever. The defense is officially a major concern for me. Is there anyone that they can put in over JPJ? The guy has been holding guys left and right all year and has been fortunate enough to not be called for it that often (until today). He's turning into a bust. The linebackers and secondary overall were pretty bad. Fortunately we made a few big plays when we needed to on defense. With all of that said, the Bengals may have the best offense in football when at full strength.

1 more win and I think the Steelers are all but guaranteed to make the playoffs.

 

[irish eyes]

Great win!

Baltimore game O struggles followed by Cleveland game may have been the wake up call Tomlin needed to open up the offense.

Hearing a bunch of Bengals D sucks, which may be true. However Tomlin usually telegraphs run play after run play. It was refreshing to see a heavy dose of letting Russ cook. Really opened up the run. Had the Cinci D on their heels all day. Beautiful!!!

Biggest concern was the refs and Pickens. Didn’t call a ton of false starts on Orlando yet had a hard on for Joey. Pickens is lucky those blatant penalties didnt cost the team a well deserved W.

Great win - completely agree! Wilson played remarkable today. The offensive play calling was great! Yes the Bengals D is all time bad but the offense still had to execute and boy did they ever. The defense is officially a major concern for me. Is there anyone that they can put in over JPJ? The guy has been holding guys left and right all year and has been fortunate enough to not be called for it that often (until today). He's turning into a bust. The linebackers and secondary overall were pretty bad. Fortunately we made a few big plays when we needed to on defense. With all of that said, the Bengals may have the best offense in football when at full strength.

1 more win and I think the Steelers are all but guaranteed to make the playoffs.

Yep, Porter turning into bust. He's terrible.

 

[Grid71]

Great win!

Baltimore game O struggles followed by Cleveland game may have been the wake up call Tomlin needed to open up the offense.

Hearing a bunch of Bengals D sucks, which may be true. However Tomlin usually telegraphs run play after run play. It was refreshing to see a heavy dose of letting Russ cook. Really opened up the run. Had the Cinci D on their heels all day. Beautiful!!!

Biggest concern was the refs and Pickens. Didn’t call a ton of false starts on Orlando yet had a hard on for Joey. Pickens is lucky those blatant penalties didnt cost the team a well deserved W.

Great win - completely agree! Wilson played remarkable today. The offensive play calling was great! Yes the Bengals D is all time bad but the offense still had to execute and boy did they ever. The defense is officially a major concern for me. Is there anyone that they can put in over JPJ? The guy has been holding guys left and right all year and has been fortunate enough to not be called for it that often (until today). He's turning into a bust. The linebackers and secondary overall were pretty bad. Fortunately we made a few big plays when we needed to on defense. With all of that said, the Bengals may have the best offense in football when at full strength.

1 more win and I think the Steelers are all but guaranteed to make the playoffs.

Cinci offense is loaded. Chase Brown, J Chase, T Higgins with Burrow is one of the best foursomes in the NFL.

I’m not worried about the Steelers D. Still got the big splash plays including a strip sack fumble recovery for a TD.

This team is peaking in December and has a chance to be special.

 

[Godsbrother]

Good win for the Steelers. Awesome the Ravens lost too.

There is still a rough road ahead but today was a good day

 

[belljr]

We need 1 win and 1 colts loss to make the playoffs I think

 

[fred_1_15301]

We need 1 win and 1 colts loss to make the playoffs I think

That's absolutely nuts lol.

 

[belljr]

We need 1 win and 1 colts loss to make the playoffs I think

That's absolutely nuts lol.

KC has already clinched a playoff spot lol

 

[fred_1_15301]

We need 1 win and 1 colts loss to make the playoffs I think

This doesn’t sound right. If Miami wins out and we only win 1 more game, I’m pretty sure they have a tiebreaker over us (better conference record).

 

[belljr]

We need 1 win and 1 colts loss to make the playoffs I think

This doesn’t sound right. If Miami wins out and we only win 1 more game, I’m pretty sure they have a tiebreaker over us (better conference record).

Ok. Then it's 1 win and a Miami loss and Indy loss maybe.

Those are the only 2 that can catch us with one more win

 

[JoeSteeler]

Great win!

Baltimore game O struggles followed by Cleveland game may have been the wake up call Tomlin needed to open up the offense.

Hearing a bunch of Bengals D sucks, which may be true. However Tomlin usually telegraphs run play after run play. It was refreshing to see a heavy dose of letting Russ cook. Really opened up the run. Had the Cinci D on their heels all day. Beautiful!!!

Biggest concern was the refs and Pickens. Didn’t call a ton of false starts on Orlando yet had a hard on for Joey. Pickens is lucky those blatant penalties didnt cost the team a well deserved W.

Great win - completely agree! Wilson played remarkable today. The offensive play calling was great! Yes the Bengals D is all time bad but the offense still had to execute and boy did they ever. The defense is officially a major concern for me. Is there anyone that they can put in over JPJ? The guy has been holding guys left and right all year and has been fortunate enough to not be called for it that often (until today). He's turning into a bust. The linebackers and secondary overall were pretty bad. Fortunately we made a few big plays when we needed to on defense. With all of that said, the Bengals may have the best offense in football when at full strength.

1 more win and I think the Steelers are all but guaranteed to make the playoffs.

Yep, Porter turning into bust. He's terrible.

 

[Godsbrother]

Not necessarily the best win but I’m encouraged the Steelers offense showed up in a big way,

 

[JoeSteeler]

Great win!

Baltimore game O struggles followed by Cleveland game may have been the wake up call Tomlin needed to open up the offense.

Hearing a bunch of Bengals D sucks, which may be true. However Tomlin usually telegraphs run play after run play. It was refreshing to see a heavy dose of letting Russ cook. Really opened up the run. Had the Cinci D on their heels all day. Beautiful!!!

Biggest concern was the refs and Pickens. Didn’t call a ton of false starts on Orlando yet had a hard on for Joey. Pickens is lucky those blatant penalties didnt cost the team a well deserved W.

Great win - completely agree! Wilson played remarkable today. The offensive play calling was great! Yes the Bengals D is all time bad but the offense still had to execute and boy did they ever. The defense is officially a major concern for me. Is there anyone that they can put in over JPJ? The guy has been holding guys left and right all year and has been fortunate enough to not be called for it that often (until today). He's turning into a bust. The linebackers and secondary overall were pretty bad. Fortunately we made a few big plays when we needed to on defense. With all of that said, the Bengals may have the best offense in football when at full strength.

1 more win and I think the Steelers are all but guaranteed to make the playoffs.

Yep, Porter turning into bust. He's terrible.

Nothing good to say about a huge win? I am shocked.

 

[JoeSteeler]

Not necessarily the best win but I’m encouraged the Steelers offense showed up in a big way,

Please stop being positive, it doesn't fit in with the tone of the thread.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Not necessarily the best win but I’m encouraged the Steelers offense showed up in a big way,

Please stop being positive, it doesn't fit in with the tone of the thread.

For the most part, the tone has been positive for a while now. Irish is always negative.

 

[infantsam]

Were 9-3 atop the North and I'm sure as shart positive lol
-Russ - best mil we ever spent
-Pickens - omg stfu and catch the ball
-OL - keep getting better, lanes are open more and more - and look at Jones all up in Pickens
-D - that's an elite O, Porter and the DC need to learn that some WR's are better than single coverage - you can't just wrap them up

In particular - Smith and at the los Russ calling plays. The pass to Jeff and Skrow were both well executed reads into coverage and big plays

Now we get the Browns on a short week at home while the ratbirds sit and fester.....we need this one because the finish is a murderer's row.