Steelers look less than perfect after first loss
The number PITTSBURGH — in the loss column is at “one.” The number of issues the Pittsburgh Steelers are facing after their first setback of the season is considerably higher.
The shortcomingsmasked by timely turnovers and just enough offensive splash during Pittsburgh’s 11-0 start were on full display during a stunning 23-17 upset at the hands of Washington on Monday night.
The offensive line, missing centerMaurkicePouncey for a second straight game because of COVID-19 protocols, was pushed around by Washington’s younger, more athletic front. The running game, minus James Conner, who like Pouncey sat out due to COVID-19, generated a whopping 1.67 yards per carry and went 0-fer in three shots from theWashington 1 in the second quarter before being abandoned almost completely.
Facing fourth-and-1 at the Washington25with thegame tied in the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh eschewed a run and instead had quarterback Ben Roethlisberger send an ill-fated lob down the sideline to rookie running back Anthony McFarland Jr. that fell incomplete.
“I live by a coaching creed ‘If you can’t get a yard, you don’t deserve to win’ and that was the case for us in this game,” coach MikeTomlin said Tuesday.
It’s been that way lately. Pittsburgh’s 21 yards rushing marked the franchise’s third-lowest total since 1970. While Tomlin has stressed repeatedly the Steelers don’t need to grind it out to win — not with Roethlisberger having a remarkable comeback season after missing most of 2019 with a right elbow injury — the inability to produce any sort of consistent offensive balance has taken its toll.
AndwhileTomlin is aware of how short-handed his offense is without two of its key cogs, he also doesn’t care.
“That ( ticks) me off becausewe’ve got to be the type of group that endures regardless of who is available,” he said.
Tomlin is optimistic both
Pouncey and Conner will be availablenextSunday against Buffalo (9-3). Yet they will need more than just having their familiar numbers in the lineup to get things right. There’s amindset associated with running the ball and in that area, the Steelers have been lacking.
“In termsofqualityof play, we haven’t been physical enough,” Tomlin said.
Fixing it can be tricky. Practicing in full pads is almost nonexistent even during a “normal” December, let alone one in the middle of a pandemic. Tomlin pointed out the Steelers spent as much if not more time in pads than most clubs during training camp.
“We carry our pads every day through the teamdevelopmentprocess,” hepointed out.
Timetohopemusclememory returns quickly.
What’s working
Technically, it’s more like “Watt’s working.”
Outside linebacker T.J. Watt picked up his NFL-leading 12th sack against Washington despite playing without usual running mate Bud Dupree. Theother half ofone of the league’sbestpass-rushing duos is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee.
Not that itmatteredmuch against Washington. Watt was his typically disruptive self, though he did miss a golden opportunity in the fourth quarterwhenhe tried to “scoop and score” on a Washington fumble rather than just fall on it. Washington’s Logan Thomas recovered instead.
What’s not
Pittsburgh is struggling when it tries to get tough in short yardage. AgainstWashington, it didn’t get any betterwhen it tried to get cute. Facing third-and-goal at the Washington 1 in the second quarter, Roethlisberger tried a play-action pass to Jerald Hawkins.
Two things here. Actually, three. First, Hawkins only became eligible just hours before kickoffafter being activated off the reserve/COVID19 list. Second, Hawkins is a backup offensive lineman by trade. Third, that’s exactly what he looked like when he stumbled into his route and watched Roethlisberger’s lob sailwell out of reach.
Stock up
JamesWashington is continuing to make a compelling case for more playing time. A week after his leaping grab in triple coverage helped Pittsburgh escape against Baltimore, Washington turned a hitch route into a 50-yard touchdown. With several of his teammates struggling to hold onto the ball, Washington’s role could continue to grow.
Next steps
Try to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2017 nextweek against Buffalo, where the injury-riddled secondary will have to be considerably sharper than itwas in the second half against Washington.