The “Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” from the Steelers loss to the Bengals
Following every Pittsburgh Steelers game, Travis Newton takes a no-holds-barred, unabashed look at what went well, not so good, and just plain ugly. Here is this week’s edition of the “Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”
To preface this article, I would like to state that I tend to look at life and Pittsburgh Steelers football with an optimistic eye. With that being said, the performance I saw on Monday Night Football from the team in Black and Gold was nothing short of abysmal.
After an 11-0 start, Pittsburgh has dropped three games in a row with each being uglier than the last. The team that once had their eyes locked on perfection en route to the Super Bowl now appear as if they don’t belong in the NFL Playoffs. And the quarterback that once delivered two Lombardi trophies to the Steel City is very clearly lacking the physical abilities necessary to thrive in today’s NFL.
The Good
Chase Claypool reception
Steelers Ball: 3rd Quarter 12:48 – 3rd-and-3 PIT 40
Coming into their first possession of the second half, down 17-0, the Steelers were in desperate need of a big play and a punctual score. Roethlisberger went to the rookie, Chase Claypool, who was neglected for much of the game in the first half.
Pittsburgh went to the screen game to try and convert on the third-down play. Roethlisberger whipped it out to Claypool who got a block from tight end, Vance McDonald. The young receiver showed off his stellar speed, turning the edge and tip-toeing down the sideline for 37 yards before being tackled by his shoestrings.
Chase Claypool stayed inbounds for a huge gain 🔥 @ChaseClaypool @steelers
📺 #PITvsCIN on ESPN pic.twitter.com/e4JyYSKhma
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 22, 2020
The big play by Claypool set up the Steelers for their first touchdown of the game and helped give his team some momentary hope for a comeback.
The Bad
Ben Roethlisberger turns the ball over
Steelers Ball: 2nd Quarter 6:01 – 3rd-and-14 CIN 48
As an aging Quarterback, when your physical attributes begin to decline you must remain intact mentally to have continued success. Roethlisberger exhibited neither on this third-down play.
Dropping back and needing 14 yards, Roethlisberger locked his eyes on JuJu Smith-Schuster who was blanketed by the Bengals coverage. Big Ben threw the pass anyway, neglecting the linebacker, Mackensie Alexander, who wisely sat in the hook-curl zone.
Mackensie Alexander stepped in and snagged it 🔥 @MackAlexander20 @Bengals
📺 #PITvsCIN on ESPN pic.twitter.com/QFQRNUx6Go
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 22, 2020
Alexander easily secured the interception and then returned it 21 yards before being hit late out of bounds, adding on an additional 15 yards to the play. This was the second turnover of the half for Roethlisberger, both a result of a lapse in mental focus on the field.
The Ugly
JuJu Smith-Schuster fumble
Steelers Ball: 1st Quarter: 55 – 3rd-and-7 PIT 48
There has been a lot of talk in recent weeks of Smith-Schuster’s pregame routine of recording a “TikTok” app dance on the opposing team’s midfield logo. My opinion on the matter aside, it is very obvious that other teams are taking note and using it as motivation. Along with the extra motivation, it is also putting a huge target on JuJu’s back.
That target was found on Monday when a simple out-route to Smith-Schuster was blown up by Bengals safety, Vonn Bell. Bell diagnosed the pass early and came downhill with conviction, colliding with Smith-Schuster immediately following the catch and jarring the ball loose.
Put this on TikTokpic.twitter.com/ed9jXMnJsn
— PFF (@PFF) December 22, 2020
The play was originally called an incomplete pass on the field, but after a booth review and a clear recovery by Cincinnati, it was deemed that the receiver did have possession. The ruling on the field was reversed to a fumble giving the ball back to the Bengals deep in Pittsburgh territory.
