Well this game should have been a blowout considering the turnover differential of +4, however our Steelers always seem to let bad teams stick around with a chance to win at the end and this game was no different. Steelers were lucky to get out of New England with a win today as the Patriots had 2 costly turnovers in the endzone that took points off the the scoreboard for New England. The offense was terrible this week 202 yards total averaging 2.7 YPC running the ball and passing the ball and 6.0 YPA throwing the ball is not going to get it done week in week out in the NFL. I think alot of the offensive struggles have to do with the fact that we have Arthur Smith as our play caller. This guy is abysmal and overrated and they should be letting Aaron Rogers call his own plays! I didn't see Roman Wilson on the field once today......very disappointing because I think he can be a playmaker for us. I'm frustrated that we don't see 4 & 5 wide anymore. I think I saw 4 wide once today and we had 3 TE's out there with DK Metcalf. The goal of going 4 or 5 wide is to spread out the Defense and create space underneath. Your never going to be able to do that with 3 TE's....I'm sorry! I think Ben Skowronek got more snaps than Roman Wilson. Barely saw Calvin Austin out there today too and he's supposed to be our #2 WR. If he played 30 snaps I'd be amazed!
Defensively this team allowed 368 yds on the field but they created 5 turnovers which was the difference maker in this game. I paid extra close attention to Keanu Benton as many have wondered if he's regressed in year 3. After watching him today in the game it's obvious that Benton ha regressed....he was getting no push at all and kept getting pushed out of the play whenever he was in there. He had 2 positive plays where he beat a double team and got pressure and was in on the fumble that Wilson recovered in the endzone. There was nothing else good for him in this game.....nothing even average. He had less snaps in the 2nd Half especially in the 4th Quarter and Yayha Black or Dan Ekuale was in there in his place. After watching Benton today I'm 100% sure he shouldn't be a starter and I'm not even sure he should be a backup. He is absolutely ineffective out there! I'll also say Patrick Queen needs to learn how to tackle. After 2 games the Steelers had the most missed tackles in the NFL with 28 (RANKED 32nd) I think half of those missed tackles are by Patrick Queen and I'm not kidding! A shout out to Derrick Harmon for his first NFL sack today.
So were onto Ireland for a 9AM game next Sunday vs Minnesota......it'll be an interesting matchup to see how Flores game plans his Defense against Arthur Smith & the Steelers Offense! I don't expect much! Glad we got a win today but I'm not anymore confident with the Steelers going forward....I still see this team as a sub .500 team! I hope I'm wrong but all the issues after last week's game were still issues this week. They won because of 5 turnovers and I'll give credit to the Defensive guys who made those plays.
Per Tomlin's Post Game:
No significant injuries
Darius Slay had a contusion but was able to return
Game Balls:
Cam Heyward - The guy was all over the field today 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass tipped
TJ Watt - 5 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 fumble recovery
Brandon Echols - 1 huge plays today the INT in the endzone before halftime and the 4th down tackle in the open field on 4th & 1 to end the Patriots drive and seal the victory. 6 Tackles.
Jabril Peppers - 6 tackles 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery....not bad for a guy who's only been here 2 weeks
Cole Holcomb - 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble....I did see him overrun a key 3rd down play but the middle of our Defense seemed better when he was in there
Game Goats:
Keanu Benton - I'm not sure this guy should even get a helmet on Gameday anymore. He had no push the entire game and was blown off the line of scrimmage on 96% of the plays!
Patrick Queen - Yeah he had 10 tackles....but stats don't tell it like it is. I counted 5 missed tackles today....add this to the 28 we already had. Someone needs teach him how to tackle!
FU's:
Arthur Smith - This guy has gotta go! Oh how I miss the days of 4 & 5 wide! He's not a good OC!
Defensively this team allowed 368 yds on the field but they created 5 turnovers which was the difference maker in this game. I paid extra close attention to Keanu Benton as many have wondered if he's regressed in year 3. After watching him today in the game it's obvious that Benton ha regressed....he was getting no push at all and kept getting pushed out of the play whenever he was in there. He had 2 positive plays where he beat a double team and got pressure and was in on the fumble that Wilson recovered in the endzone. There was nothing else good for him in this game.....nothing even average. He had less snaps in the 2nd Half especially in the 4th Quarter and Yayha Black or Dan Ekuale was in there in his place. After watching Benton today I'm 100% sure he shouldn't be a starter and I'm not even sure he should be a backup. He is absolutely ineffective out there! I'll also say Patrick Queen needs to learn how to tackle. After 2 games the Steelers had the most missed tackles in the NFL with 28 (RANKED 32nd) I think half of those missed tackles are by Patrick Queen and I'm not kidding! A shout out to Derrick Harmon for his first NFL sack today.
So were onto Ireland for a 9AM game next Sunday vs Minnesota......it'll be an interesting matchup to see how Flores game plans his Defense against Arthur Smith & the Steelers Offense! I don't expect much! Glad we got a win today but I'm not anymore confident with the Steelers going forward....I still see this team as a sub .500 team! I hope I'm wrong but all the issues after last week's game were still issues this week. They won because of 5 turnovers and I'll give credit to the Defensive guys who made those plays.
Per Tomlin's Post Game:
No significant injuries
Darius Slay had a contusion but was able to return
Game Balls:
Cam Heyward - The guy was all over the field today 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass tipped
TJ Watt - 5 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 fumble recovery
Brandon Echols - 1 huge plays today the INT in the endzone before halftime and the 4th down tackle in the open field on 4th & 1 to end the Patriots drive and seal the victory. 6 Tackles.
Jabril Peppers - 6 tackles 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery....not bad for a guy who's only been here 2 weeks
Cole Holcomb - 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble....I did see him overrun a key 3rd down play but the middle of our Defense seemed better when he was in there
Game Goats:
Keanu Benton - I'm not sure this guy should even get a helmet on Gameday anymore. He had no push the entire game and was blown off the line of scrimmage on 96% of the plays!
Patrick Queen - Yeah he had 10 tackles....but stats don't tell it like it is. I counted 5 missed tackles today....add this to the 28 we already had. Someone needs teach him how to tackle!
FU's:
Arthur Smith - This guy has gotta go! Oh how I miss the days of 4 & 5 wide! He's not a good OC!
