Quick Yinzing: Steelers loss wasn’t the blowout many predicted

I won’t sit here and lie, and tell you that I can accept a Steelers loss. However, losses are something that must be accepted throughout the season, and this game is one of those that isn’t a bitter pill to swallow (unlike the Miami Dolphins game last week.)

Given the uphill battle the Steelers were facing heading into this game, being without multiple starters (including two captains, one of which is their future Hall of Fame QB) as well as facing who many consider the best team in the NFL, the expectations weren’t very high on Sunday. Yet, the Steelers were not only competitive, but possibly had a chance at winning the game.

Here are some quick observations from the Pittsburgh’s match up against the New England Patriots.

Landry Jones

Landry did not lose this game. That’s precisely what most of us asked from him, and if anything, he had put the Steelers in a position to win several times. Yes, he had help, and yes, the Patriots also had help as well. (More on that in a second.)

Landry completed 26 of 47 passes for 281 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He completed 61.7% of his passes, with several late drops and throwaways contributing to the figure.

If you had told me pregame, Jones would throw more, and complete more passes, for more yards, than Tom Brady, I may have looked at you like an owl with that cocked head and wide eyes.

Yet that’s what Jones did. He didn’t win the game, but he wasn’t the sole reason for losing it either.

Offensive Line

Landry also wasn’t sacked all game. He had lots of time to help in his decision making, and as many noted of the Landry of preseasons past, he didn’t look like a deer in headlights (scared) either.

Jones made some nice progressions throughout the game, including a touchdown pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey, and a 51-yard pass to Antonio Brown.

That credit really goes to the offensive line.

It’s a shame that would-be 2nd touchdown to DHB, which would’ve tied the game in the 2nd quarter, was wiped off the board by a questionable holding penalty to makeshift RT Chris Hubbard, who had been playing outstanding football. Otherwise, the line was a big contributor to the Steelers staying in this game.

Le’Veon Bell

Was everything we needed him to be and more on Sunday.

Bell stepped up and rushed for 81 yards, while catching another 10 passes for 68 yards. The Steelers needed him to take this team on his shoulders, and he did just that.

Penalties

Landry Jones placed this ball right on the money for Cobi Hamilton, who had his hand held back by a Patriots defender.

The Hubbard holding call, as well as an early deep pass to DHB which ended up called as pass interference, were all game-changing flags which could’ve altered the outcome of this game.

The Hubbard call occurred with the Steelers scoring a would-be tying TD to knot it up at 14-all; Jones would throw an incompletion on the next play, and then Chris Boswell would miss a field goal attempt right after, leaving the Steelers down 14-7.

I hate to blame officiating, as this game was likely out of reach for Pittsburgh by the time the Hamilton no-call happened, but the DHB TD wiped off the board hurt the most, and may have affected the play-calling on both sides of the ball in the second half.

Special Teams

How about Greg Warren getting a fumble recovery? That’s some real hustle from a long snapper!

Boswell missed the early field goal, but I won’t hang him for missing a 54-yard attempt at Heinz. That’s a tough call, and one the coaching staff should’ve just went for on 4th and 3.

Defense

Blount ran for more yards that I would’ve liked, and Rob Gronkowski got his TD over the top of safety Robert Golden, but the defense otherwise came to play for the most part. They didn’t get a sack, but they were pressuring Tom Brady more than they had Ryan Tannehill a week earlier. Most of the Pats receivers were held in check, and Jarvis Jones got in early on the action, forcing a fumble.

Perhaps if things went a different way with a few penalty calls, the defense wouldn’t be the scapegoat for this game, but as it stands, they gave up 27 points, and were unable to hold in some key situations.

Conclusion

Still, I’m not going to hold everyone’s feet to the fire for losing this one. The Steelers were essentially playing their QB3, WR4, a practice squad WR, a guard converted to RT, didn’t have their backup RB, at times were missing Antonio Brown, almost completely missed Sammie Coates and didn’t utilize Eli Rogers in their game plan.

The defense was without Heyward, worked Shazier back into the rotation, and played a chess match with the Patriots as to when they played a nickel DB or ILB in their sub packages.

Overall, I think Steelers fans realize the mountain that needed climbed, and feel more than confident that this team can live up to expectations, following a bye week that should help them get back to 100%.


Suggested articles from our sponsors