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*** 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers: Embarrassing defensive effort on TNF (11 Viewers)
- Thread starter Godsbrother
- Start date
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Austin doesn't really matter much, tho. It's Tomlin's defense and the DC has to run it. Which is why I assume Flores wasn't that interested in hanging around.
They also completely forgot how to tackle on at least 4 plays this game, and it extended drives. It's like we were watching the Seattle game again. They just looked like hot garbage overall, and extra bad against the run vs. a team that, literally had like 30 something yards rushing a week ago?
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That was the issue. Predictable with little adjustments. They got out coached and seemed asleep at the wheel.
Fantasy football got me thinking of something.
Last week on the Thursday Night game I think most people would have ranked the Eagles D among the top fantasy D’s for the week. They scored a zero in my format and generally looked lost. Same thing just happened last night. Steelers forecast as one of top fantasy D’s for the week and they scored a zero in my format, looked mainly horrible and lost.
What this got me thinking was I know from years of watching these games the gameplan for most teams on the TNF games is vanilla but that’s seems especially so for the offense, but these last 2 weeks started getting me thinking the D’s are just as much, if not more, vanilla.
So long winded way of saying I’m not sure if that had anything to do with or if I just typed out one of the weakest excuses going.
I know over entirety of the season, without facing a murders row of Qb’s, they are at the bottom of almost every defensive metric. But they seemed to be trending up with everyone healthy coming out of the bye.
If the results are the same next week after 10 days to work on a game plan as bad a I feel about this defense I’m going to feel a lot worse and it will drain what little hope for it to rebound out of me.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
So many plays on D were just 
That play near the winning FG where, with the Bengals only need 3 points to win, Jamar Freaking Chase is left utterly wide open over the middle for a 15 yard gain. It was as if they were playing prevent. Like....wut?
That naked bootleg from Grampy Joe.
Continuing to put Ramsey on Chase alone even after, like, 12 catches.
Etc, etc.
That play near the winning FG where, with the Bengals only need 3 points to win, Jamar Freaking Chase is left utterly wide open over the middle for a 15 yard gain. It was as if they were playing prevent. Like....wut?
That naked bootleg from Grampy Joe.
Continuing to put Ramsey on Chase alone even after, like, 12 catches.
Etc, etc.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Almost exactly what I was saying during the game last night.
How do you not go after an immobile dude like that with alacrity? Flacco hit one play behind a blitz early....and they pretty much turtled from that point on.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Giving a little credit where it's due: Bengals defense is, indeed, as horrid as advertised, but overall Smith called a pretty good one on O.
I'd have probably preferred that they ran it a little more, since they were pretty much doing so at will and it'd have potentially killed more time, but if your offense puts up 30+ points you have to expect that's going to be enough for a W with what is supposed to be a "great" defense behind you (I do wonder what may have happened if they just ran the gaddam ball 30 times in the second half, tho).
Couple of plays were kind of getting cute, and Rodgers' first pick was a pretty iffy throw, but the offense basically "won the game for the defense" in spite of it. D just refused to take advantage.
I'd have probably preferred that they ran it a little more, since they were pretty much doing so at will and it'd have potentially killed more time, but if your offense puts up 30+ points you have to expect that's going to be enough for a W with what is supposed to be a "great" defense behind you (I do wonder what may have happened if they just ran the gaddam ball 30 times in the second half, tho).
Couple of plays were kind of getting cute, and Rodgers' first pick was a pretty iffy throw, but the offense basically "won the game for the defense" in spite of it. D just refused to take advantage.
Dizzy
Footballguy
Giving a little credit where it's due: Bengals defense is, indeed, as horrid as advertised, but overall Smith called a pretty good one on O.
I'd have probably preferred that they ran it a little more, since they were pretty much doing so at will and it'd have potentially killed more time, but if your offense puts up 30+ points you have to expect that's going to be enough for a W with what is supposed to be a "great" defense behind you (I do wonder what may have happened if they just ran the gaddam ball 30 times in the second half, tho).
Couple of plays were kind of getting cute, and Rodgers' first pick was a pretty iffy throw, but the offense basically "won the game for the defense" in spite of it. D just refused to take advantage.
Agreed on that 1st pic... it looked like Metcalf throttled down thinking he would be running into double coverage and not expecting the ball... but Rogers threw it anyway.
Crazy game. I think we all probably thought the same thing when Rogers hit Freiermuth on that long TD... no celebrating because there was too much time left for CIN to go win the game.
After the 10-0 lead, the Bengals had 8 possessions rest of the way... scored on 7 of them. That's truly awful. No freaky stuff either... long, sustained drives.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
It was almost like coming in to the game they didn't even know who Jamar Chase was.
This team needs a legit DC in the worst way (and I don't mean installing another figurehead, a la Austin/Butler).
Dizzy
Footballguy
I think PIT thought they would be able to get home on Flacco. You can play man on anyone if the QB is on his back.
Every team in the league is now going to run those quick slants against the Steelers D until they prove they can adjust and stop it.
If the Steelers don’t win the AFC North this year we will all very likely be able to point back to this game as the start of the reason why.
If the Steelers don’t win the AFC North this year we will all very likely be able to point back to this game as the start of the reason why.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Herbig with a material decrease in snaps.
Judge Smails
Footballguy
Never would think he and Watt would be absolute non factors. How do you not get any pressure on old man Flacco? How does Chase freakin Brown run wild? They just didn’t show up. Bad look for the coaching staff
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
Tomlin's kryptonite is Thursday night and playoff games evidently.
irish eyes
Footballguy
Basically any games of importance.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Let me help....We're on to Green Bay
You're 4-2, Rodgers threw 4 Touchdowns, in the future try not to have 325 lb OL tackling Rodgers from behind as they celebrate
Green Bay and Indy at home the next 2 weeks, a lot of questions will be answered in those 2 games.
Packers are not as good as everyone thought after the Parsons trade but Indy I think is a Playoff team and could get better before the trade deadline
Give the Bengals credit, they went out and got Joe Flacco to try and salvage their season and they temporarily succeeded
Even is the Steelers could split the next 2 games at home, would be a good sign.
BTW the schedule overall the next 5 weeks for the Steelers is going to be challenging, plus Bills Week 13 and Lions Week 16
It's possible the Steelers do a nose dive which just from my POV, some of you would be happy about it if it's the final nail in the coffin for Tomlin
You're 4-2, Rodgers threw 4 Touchdowns, in the future try not to have 325 lb OL tackling Rodgers from behind as they celebrate
Green Bay and Indy at home the next 2 weeks, a lot of questions will be answered in those 2 games.
Packers are not as good as everyone thought after the Parsons trade but Indy I think is a Playoff team and could get better before the trade deadline
Give the Bengals credit, they went out and got Joe Flacco to try and salvage their season and they temporarily succeeded
Even is the Steelers could split the next 2 games at home, would be a good sign.
BTW the schedule overall the next 5 weeks for the Steelers is going to be challenging, plus Bills Week 13 and Lions Week 16
It's possible the Steelers do a nose dive which just from my POV, some of you would be happy about it if it's the final nail in the coffin for Tomlin
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Tomlin isn't going anywhere unless he chooses to go, and just about zero individuals here seriously believe otherwise.
Art Rooney II is never going to fire Mike Tomlin. Never.
Art Rooney II is never going to fire Mike Tomlin. Never.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Every year we have to hear this after the Steelers lose a game.
You won’t have to wait a year to hear it again. Give it a couple of weeks.
And the take is correct imo.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Don't they have a winning record?
I think 4-2 is a winning record?
It’s the signature Tomlin bad losses that is the predecessor to the posts about him never never being fired. Just can’t get over the hump to be a serious contender. And the Steelers NEVER adjusted their D in the 2nd half. I could have had 10 catches for a 100 yards running those quick slants.
Both of these things can be true.
Tomlin is a good coach. And it benefits both parties to move on.
Must be nice getting paid close to 20 million a year with little accountability and without a playoff win in 8 years or so. This year everything was falling into place. Opposing teams starting QBs getting injured. Aaron playing better than expected. The defense overall has been a let down. They are either on or off. Against the Bengals the last 7 of 8 drives resulted in points scored.
cdclopper
Footballguy
Literally every game they lose it's his fault and he should be held accountable and fired. I suppose thats what happens when you've been coaching for 19 years. Thats longer than most marriaged last these days.
I assume your post is sarcasm.
You tell me that Tomlin shouldn’t be the most guilty for losing to a bad Cinci team on their 3rd QB and without their best defensive player. Not to mention Flacco had been there for all of 10 days or something.
Most of us understand the coaches don’t throw, catch and tackle.
But not everybody understands that the Steelers never changed their defensive scheme despite being carved up series after series. That’s on the coaches and specifically Tomlin as he’s labeled as defensive guru.
Not to mention Steelers are the highest paid defense in the league. Although I did hear Houston may be.
Either way……
cdclopper
Footballguy
Well Jalen Ramsey was the guy covering Chase, so... Of course you will say that's Tomlin's fault still because of poor strategy to put him in a losing situation.
But look at this thread when they win. Does Tomlin get credit? No he does not. They won because they have great players. The coach had nothing to do with it putting them in a winning situation.
My comment was this is the kind of treatment one gets after coaching the same team for 19 years.
So Tomlins job is to just keep things the same and not make in game adjustments?
Ramsey got torched all night!
So Tomlin shouldn’t have changed up his defense? No double team of Chase? Tomlins hands were tied?
23 targets and 16 catches for Chase.
A good coach tries something different bc what they were doing wasn’t working. Tomlin made no changes. Awful.
Dizzy
Footballguy
These are the times when it is tough to be a Steelers fan. Their fanbase is the biggest group of whiners in all of fandom.
They trick themselves into believing a mid-pack roster will contend for title every summer and then cry about it every Fall.
Respectfully, I disagree. A lot of Steelers fans aren’t whining they’re frustrated. Not because we expect a Super Bowl every year, but because we’ve watched a proud franchise settle into mediocrity for far too long. The lack of playoff wins over the past decade speaks for itself.
And let’s be real in a city where people are getting laid off, positions are being eliminated, and job security is a luxury, it’s hard not to notice that Mike Tomlin remains one of the highest-paid coaches in the league despite the team’s stagnant results. That disconnect stings.
Most fans aren’t delusional. We know this roster isn’t built to contend. We see the same issues year after year predictable offense, questionable in-game decisions, and a front office that seems allergic to change. So no, it’s not about “crying every fall.” It’s about caring deeply and wanting better from a team that once set the standard for excellence.
And let’s be real in a city where people are getting laid off, positions are being eliminated, and job security is a luxury, it’s hard not to notice that Mike Tomlin remains one of the highest-paid coaches in the league despite the team’s stagnant results. That disconnect stings.
Most fans aren’t delusional. We know this roster isn’t built to contend. We see the same issues year after year predictable offense, questionable in-game decisions, and a front office that seems allergic to change. So no, it’s not about “crying every fall.” It’s about caring deeply and wanting better from a team that once set the standard for excellence.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
I have no clue what you’re talking about. There is likely not a single Steelers fan who believed that this was a championship caliber team. That’s been the same for years. That’s the problem.
Feels like this week saw a numbers of teams start to gel - whether at elite level or what ev.
The offense has gelled from what I see, the ceiling ain't super high but we know what we have. The D though - wtf are we? Huge money, supposed to control the field, and at times we look great but they are not 'clicking' at all.
Coach?
GB in Pitt is a winnable game, keep Micah off AR, and don't let Jacobs and Kraft kill you.
And get a WR 2. 80 cant catch A-aron Rogers fastballs 15 yards down the field.
Jones - MIP.
The offense has gelled from what I see, the ceiling ain't super high but we know what we have. The D though - wtf are we? Huge money, supposed to control the field, and at times we look great but they are not 'clicking' at all.
Coach?
GB in Pitt is a winnable game, keep Micah off AR, and don't let Jacobs and Kraft kill you.
And get a WR 2. 80 cant catch A-aron Rogers fastballs 15 yards down the field.
Jones - MIP.
Well he can have Jones do that or Micah Parsons.
Yeah he shouldn't have but dude is improving seemingly every snap and he's his blindside. Don't be a **** about it and btw if I'm choosing I'll take Jones all day.
rockaction
Footballguy
I hear you, man. Guys that are like that rub me wrong also.
But then there’s Kendrys Morales. Never the same. In his prime. So preventable.
I think it’s the personal disgust that Rodgers treats his joyous exuberance with that is so off-putting. It seems like animus rather than self-defense. But I still get it a bit.
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
This team is exactly what it was expected to be. Good enough to win 9 or 10 games, not good enough to really be taken seriously, It's the same thing they always are because it's enough to keep the fan base engaged and Tomlin's job secure but not bad enough to force them into what they really need - a rebuild.
The Steelers have 4 wins, but it's been far from impressive. They squeaked by the Jets and beat the Browns and Dillon Gabriel. They beat the Pats in a game because of 5 turnovers while they were outgained 369 to 203, which isn't a winning formula. And they were massively outgained by the Vikings too and again, won because of turnovers despite Minnesota having over 400 yards of offense. Lost by 2 touchdowns at home to Seattle and let Cincy run and throw at will.
A lack of in-game adjustments has been a problem for a long time. I don't know if it's because they don't recognize problems or are too stupid to know how to fix it, or if they're just too stubborn. But I watch teams use talent in far more imaginitive ways than anything I ever see from the Steelers.
Not sure what credit Tomlin deserves or why he's getting any right now. Bringing in Rodgers was just another band-aid, and signing Watt to $40M per year was a feel good thing that's going to hurt the franchise in a year or two. This team isn't especially close to contention and it has Tomlin's signature all over it. Rince and repeat next year. And the next,
The Steelers have 4 wins, but it's been far from impressive. They squeaked by the Jets and beat the Browns and Dillon Gabriel. They beat the Pats in a game because of 5 turnovers while they were outgained 369 to 203, which isn't a winning formula. And they were massively outgained by the Vikings too and again, won because of turnovers despite Minnesota having over 400 yards of offense. Lost by 2 touchdowns at home to Seattle and let Cincy run and throw at will.
A lack of in-game adjustments has been a problem for a long time. I don't know if it's because they don't recognize problems or are too stupid to know how to fix it, or if they're just too stubborn. But I watch teams use talent in far more imaginitive ways than anything I ever see from the Steelers.
Not sure what credit Tomlin deserves or why he's getting any right now. Bringing in Rodgers was just another band-aid, and signing Watt to $40M per year was a feel good thing that's going to hurt the franchise in a year or two. This team isn't especially close to contention and it has Tomlin's signature all over it. Rince and repeat next year. And the next,
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
They also just stink defensively which is odd given how much they’ve invested in it.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
My take on the 2025 season was that it was a “what the heck” season with the some of the moves they made.
I am pleasantly surprised the offense is playing as well as it is and while I knew the defense wasn’t going to be great I didn’t think it would be this bad.
This team is mediocre at best and this season is going to be up and down, though as bad as the AFC North is, the division is very much in play.
The rebuilding will begin in the offseason and a lot of players on this team should be gone
I am pleasantly surprised the offense is playing as well as it is and while I knew the defense wasn’t going to be great I didn’t think it would be this bad.
This team is mediocre at best and this season is going to be up and down, though as bad as the AFC North is, the division is very much in play.
The rebuilding will begin in the offseason and a lot of players on this team should be gone
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Poor communication on D has been a common theme since Austin took over, and that was how Chase was wide open to keep the game alive for the Bengals. Not Ramsay or anyone getting burnt.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
I heard Jakobi Meyers AND Elandon Roberts from the Raiders is a possibility. AJ Brown was in play before this week . . . .
steelcityman
Footballguy
They play zone too much, soft zone, allows some WR to run a quick hitting route so the pass rush cant get to the QB, and the WR is wide open. Its a tale as old as time with this era of the steelers. Watt, 4 sacks in last 10 games, is that really worth $38M or whatever he makes? 2nd highest paid Def in NFL, and local reporters think they need to add a free safety. And also need a WR2. Why waste 2026 draft picks on rentals? This team isnt winning anything, maybe the division, but KC would beat them worse than Cincy did. So why bother? I honestly dont know why any other AFC teams even try. Buffalo would get schooled in KC. Taylor Kelce can reserve her luxury box for the SB now.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Cant speak to the accuracy of any of that, but I can say this: I noticed Chuck Clark on the field WAY too much in a game where Elliot was present/healthy. Including on that late play to Chase. He has been singled out by beat types before as a communication issue, so Id love to know why he got twice the snaps of Nick Herbig.
That all said, its getting beyond stale hearing "its a communication issue" or "guys just aren't maintaining their gaps" every week from the coach. Players certainly make (or don't make) plays, but if it's just gap integrity and communication then who's coaching them out of that? Anyone? Sure doesn't feel like it.
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fred_1_15301
Footballguy
Lot of season left still. I could definitely see buffalo getting things together.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Their defense is very, very ungood.
steelcityman
Footballguy
They are probably our only hope, unless Ravens get healthy quickly and Lamar just turn on a MVP season.
Or maybe we're all sleeping on Indy. if Jones can handle playoff games, maybe they have a shot, could have home field advantage for AFC playoffs. wild.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Heard a stat on Highsmith earlier today that was kinda of a kick in the nards about the trajectory on his # of sacks the past several seasons. I went and took a look, and it's actually his number of big plays overall...
# of sacks/FF/TFLs from the big year he had in 2022 that cemented his extension: 14.5 sacks/5 FF/12 TFL in 17 games played
# of sacks since he's signed that contract in: 14.5 sack/3 FF/ 18 TFL in 32 games played
I still like Alex, and his play vs. the run/as a tackler have stayed pretty decent (such as that is) for a guy who is primarily there to only rush the passer. I get he's fought through nagging injuries even when "he's healthy enough to play, but still probably feeling it" at times, but that fall off in big plays is incredibly lacking in ROI on his deal. Particularly playing opposite a guy who garners the attention that Watt has.
# of sacks/FF/TFLs from the big year he had in 2022 that cemented his extension: 14.5 sacks/5 FF/12 TFL in 17 games played
# of sacks since he's signed that contract in: 14.5 sack/3 FF/ 18 TFL in 32 games played
I still like Alex, and his play vs. the run/as a tackler have stayed pretty decent (such as that is) for a guy who is primarily there to only rush the passer. I get he's fought through nagging injuries even when "he's healthy enough to play, but still probably feeling it" at times, but that fall off in big plays is incredibly lacking in ROI on his deal. Particularly playing opposite a guy who garners the attention that Watt has.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Meanwhile, in the same time period ('23 til now), Nick Herbig has 13 sacks/7 FF/16 TFLs in a decidedly smaller amount of snaps.
If they aren't, they really need to be considering swapping them in the rotation.
If they aren't, they really need to be considering swapping them in the rotation.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
They really need to reevaluate the utilization of everyone on defense.
He is a great pass rusher. Sometimes the sacks just don't come. His win rate is still fantastic,
warpig33
Footballguy
Reminds me of the Marty Schottenheimer years in KC. He was a good, winning coach but couldn't bring home a championship. So even though they had winning seasons regularly, they moved on. And the rest is history. I respect the hell outta Tomlin...he's a players coach, but franchises want 'ships. Maybe a change of scenery is what is needed here?
Offense has exceeded expectations.
Defense is currently an embarrassment based on the names and the payroll. Would be nice to get a real defensive coordinator in place with Tomlin keeping his hands off compared to what he is doing now.
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