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Game Balls, Game Goats & FU's.................week 18..............vs Ratbirds!

C

Chicoman

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"It's a fine line between drinking wine and squashing grapes!"

Well this might not be the greatest Steelers team ever but this victory will be ingrained in my mind for a long, long time vs our arch rivals the Ratbirds! Week after week it's been one heart attack after another....tonight watching that final FG attempt by the Rats kicker Loop as it went wide right my knees went weak! What a battle out there on the football field! I'm still trying to process that wild fourth quarter where 27 points were scored between thee two teams. Rogers and the Steelers offense tonight might have accomplished what no Steeler fan including myself ever thought possible was beating a fully stacked heavily favored Ravens team led by 2 time NFL League MVP Lamar Jackson & Derrick Henry.

Rogers & the Steelers offense managed to find a way tonight and I'm not quite sure how they managed to do it after giving the Rats a early 10-0 lead early in the 2nd Quarter. Baltimore was able to stop the Steelers twice in the first half on 4th down and then on the final play at the goal line with one of the most bizarre play calls I've ever seen the Steelers run after a Pass Interference call put the ball on the 1 yd line with 2 seconds to go. The Steelers ran the ball with Gainwell to the left while the Ravens had 2 guys stacked to that side and both guys came right after Gainwell with no one blocking them. I couldn't believe that was the play call. Absolutely awful call by Arthur Smith.....I still can't believe it. Baltimore lost Kyle Hamilton early in the 3rd Quarter and all of a sudden the Steelers seemed to be able to move the football with more consistency.

Alot of credit will probably goto the Steelers Defense for stopping Derrick Henry in the 2nd half as he only had 14 yds rushing but that credit has gotta goto the Steelers offense who in the final 43 minutes of the game controlled the ball for 31 minutes vs 12 minutes for the Ravens. Also the Ravens playing from behind was able to find a spark in the passing game and caught the Steelers sleeping on 2 long passing plays to Zay Flowers for long TD's in the second half. It was Rogers though that settled in and kept bringing the Steelers back down time after time the Ravens took the lead. The final go ahead TD to Calvin Austin gave the Steelers a 2 point lead. A lead we wouldn't relinquish despite a missed PAT by Chris Boswell.

Defensively the Steelers Defense gave up some big runs to Derrick Henry early in the first half of the game but they seemed to be able to shut him down in the second half. Some of the matchups Defensively left me scratching my head.....how the hell was Patrick Queen supposed to cover Zay Flowers? If Teryl Austin is still our DC next season I will lose my sanity!

This was one hell of a fun, emotional game....I'm glad the Steelers came out on top! I'm not kidding when Loop's FG went wide right my knees suddenly got weak as I had to lean over the back of the couch to hold myself up!

So it's now time for some playoff football and here come the Houston Texans into town!

Tomlin needs to remember it's Monday Night Football and the Steelers are HOME too!

For now I'm popping open a bottle of bubble and having a drink! Glad I'm not squashing grapes!

For your reading pleasure we pick it up on the Steelers final drive in the 4th Quarter. https://forum.russellstreetreport.com/node/4269723/page50

Per Tomlin's Post Game Presser:
Just bumps & bruises associated with the game...no major injuries

Game Balls:
Aaron Rogers - He saved his best game for last. 31 for 47 294 yds 1 TD all without Dekayllin
Kenneth Gainwell - 10 yds rushing 1 TD, 8 receptions 64 yds
Jaylen Warren - 14 carries 66 yds, 5 rec 33 yds
Cam Heyward - an absolute anchor on the Defense tonight 7 tackles
TJ Watt - only 2 tackles but 1 INT....welcome back TJ
Steelers O-line - They did a great job protecting Rogers tonight and opened up some good running lanes
Tyler Loop - You've joined the ranks of Doug Brien & Mike Vanderjact! Thank You! You might not be our favorite kicker but your in the Top 5!

Game Goats:
Jalen Ramsey - He got caught more times tonight than I care to count playing lazy football....gave up a big TD to Flowers that started the Ravens comeback....not his best game. Perhaps his worst!
Patrick Queen - only 1 tackle tonight.....probably not his fault but seeing him covering the Rats #1 WR Zay Flowers.....WTF called that Defensive Scheme?
Alex Highsmith - My god son.....I know he's shifty but you had him wrapped up! Make the Friggin tackle and bring him down!
Chris Boswell - The back half of this season he's been a little shaky for Boswell......Get back in the gr00ve Boz! You can do it!
Teryl Austin - This guy better not have a job after this season. WTF creates a scheme that puts Patrick Queen a LB'er against their best receiver?
Arthur Smith - The final playcall on the first half left me scratching my head....WTF were you thinking? It was one of the worst calls I've ever seen!

FU's:
DK Metcalf - YOU *******! You better be ready to contribute and play some playoff football! MORON!
**** THE RATS! Enjoy Your Off-Season *******!
 
A game we could all go on and on about.

Offensive Game Ball…..OLine definitely. While Rodgers was missing throws all first half,the OLine was still doing its job.
Honorable mention…Aaron for his second half play…opening his eyes and using Pat.

Defense Game ball goes to a guy that I will admittedly been quite critical about. Cam had an absolute monster game and gets a lot of the respect back that I used to have for him. I hold off a bit,because I have to see it continue in a playoff game.

Goats? It’s a what have you done lately league. Great FG in tough conditions,but that point after was brutal beyond words. Boz gets the Goat along with Jaylen Ramsey. That was the most brutal game by a CB since Tebow tore apart a certain CB quite sometime ago. That 4th down catch by Likely with Ramsey right there. All he had to do was knock the ball out when he jumped. It was right there. The game would have been over. I thought he was horrible. Boz was so automatic. Now he has put doubt into play based on the last couple games.

Honorable mention goes to some WTF play calls and actions by our coaches. 3 points in the first half,with horrible execution and play calling.

I know it’s an emotional game and I also have to give him credit. But Tomlin dancing on the sidelines with 2 minutes to go in the game with the defense was such a horrible look. Then Lamar just lit the D up with that pass. Again.
And then smirking and blowing kisses into the camera after the game. Like he controlled the missed FG and takes no accountability for Lamar driving down the field to win the game. How unprofessional can you get? A look of relief with a wipe of the brow would have been a little more appropriate.
 
Double game ball to Warren, after watching highlights the kid gives his all and made some key runs.
Game ball to us sitting at home the emotion last five minutes was gut wrenching.
Game ball the fans at stadium stayed in the game even down ten.

Goat The secondary so many open receiver and we all saw wide open.
Tomlin decision to try for TD not the field goal at half, He OK'd the call.
Tomlin all happy smiling with Baltimore all TO'S left and fifty five seconds to win, typical of Tomlin.
Fu to official missing trip and call roughing the passer.
Pat being held from line of scrimmage and not holding call in endzone.
Collingsworth and Tirico tow of the worse in the booth.
 
Really have to hand it to Cameron Heyward for not only last night but the whole season. I've been hard on him at times (mainly because of his "hold ins") but does anyone recall a 36 year old DL ever performing at the level Cam has this season?
 
Dejan said in his post game vid that Highsmith told him that they noticed something in the first quarter that they adjusted to to stop Henry's long runs.
 
steelcan58 said:
Really have to hand it to Cameron Heyward for not only last night but the whole season. I've been hard on him at times (mainly because of his "hold ins") but does anyone recall a 36 year old DL ever performing at the level Cam has this season?
Click to expand...
Yeah... hof level DTs can play well till 38 barring injury...
 
Game Balls:
Aaron Rodgers - The receivers were giving him nothing and he made the plays when he needed to...especially managing the time out situation.
Jaylen Warren - Best weapon on offense last night, came up big.
Cam Heyward - Absolute stud and made his presence felt all night.
Kenneth Gainwell - Was basically WR1 against the Ravens. Picked up the yards when we needed them.
Offensive Line - Good protection and opened up rushing lanes. Fautanu had his signature block on the Gainwell TD.

Game Goats:
Kyle Duggar & Jalen Ramsey - Both have had good moments this season, last night did not have those moments. Toasted and nearly cost the Steelers the game.
Chris Boswell - Yet another big miss. Makes a 57-yarder yet misses an extra point.

FU's:
Mike Tomlin and coaching staff - You got us to the playoffs, now win a playoff game!
 
What has happened to Payton Wilson. I guess his new position is Left Out. I get run downs........but Malik Harrison is taking lot of the pass downs too. You could tell Heyward cared last night. He never cheats the effort. And you can tell by his emotion its more then a salary.
 
Note to all mentally deficient Ravens fans... there was NO LEVERAGE on the missed field goal attempt:

Leverage is:
Jumping or standing on a teammate or opponent to block or attempt to block an opponent’s kick or apparent kick," and, "Placing a hand or hands on a teammate or opponent to gain additional height to: (1) block or attempt to block an opponent’s kick or apparent kick, or (2) attempt to jump through a gap to block an opponent’s kick or apparent kick."

Skowronek clearly jumps up, falters, then as he cones down his hands touch a blocker.
Because he does not use the opponent to push off before the jump, or push up while in the air, it is not, by definition, leverage.

Freezing a still shot of the play in a way it looks like leverage is happening does not make it true...
 
SteelerSask2 said:
What has happened to Payton Wilson. I guess his new position is Left Out. I get run downs........but Malik Harrison is taking lot of the pass downs too. You could tell Heyward cared last night. He never cheats the effort. And you can tell by his emotion its more then a salary.
Click to expand...
Payton Wilson has joined Roman Wilson and Kaleb Johnson in the "third round curse". We are desperate at WR and Roman Wilson doesn't even get a hat? BTW, Boswell made a 57 yarder earlier in the game and has been money all season so I'll give him a pass on a missed PAT, even if it had cost us the game.
 
madinsomniac said:
Note to all mentally deficient Ravens fans... there was NO LEVERAGE on the missed field goal attempt:

Leverage is:
Jumping or standing on a teammate or opponent to block or attempt to block an opponent’s kick or apparent kick," and, "Placing a hand or hands on a teammate or opponent to gain additional height to: (1) block or attempt to block an opponent’s kick or apparent kick, or (2) attempt to jump through a gap to block an opponent’s kick or apparent kick."

Skowronek clearly jumps up, falters, then as he cones down his hands touch a blocker.
Because he does not use the opponent to push off before the jump, or push up while in the air, it is not, by definition, leverage.

Freezing a still shot of the play in a way it looks like leverage is happening does not make it true...
Click to expand...
Thanks for the explanation. I was of the impression if you attempt a timing leap over the centre you had to clear him cleanly.
 
madinsomniac said:
No but you also cant line up directly across from the snapper, but he didnt..
Click to expand...
Yes, I would have to believe that number 15 has been coached properly by Danny Smith on what’s legal and not on that play. Not only that, but Ben S.is a Notre Dame grad, so I believe he’s smarter than to do something blatantly illegal on the most important play of the game. 😉

I also believe that the players sometimes will ask the referee prior to a play commencing if they are in proper position to do something like that.
Not sure if that happened in this case, but you see it happen on the field frequently
 
Last edited:
xjx said:
Just because someone went to Notre Dame they aren't instantly smart.
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I realize that, just trying to pump you guys up.
But but on the other hand, their admissions are at a higher expectation, even for athletes than 90% of division one schools.
So there is some reality to my statement, and I would have to say that Ben S. Is a pretty fart smeller… I mean a pretty smart fella. 😁
 
ExUSAF said:
Payton Wilson has joined Roman Wilson and Kaleb Johnson in the "third round curse". We are desperate at WR and Roman Wilson doesn't even get a hat? BTW, Boswell made a 57 yarder earlier in the game and has been money all season so I'll give him a pass on a missed PAT, even if it had cost us the game.
Click to expand...
I noticed againsf the browns in the second half on a third and seven I think it was queen and him were communicating and he seemed to have the miscommunication and about covering the tight end. Sanders went right that way where Wilson was supposed to be, but was late and gave up 10 yards on what was a big play for the conversion period. Of course Cleveland didn’t do anything in the second half but it was a big third down pick up nonetheless. I think he’s seen less time because some of the miscommunication issues and being out of position were from him. Of course we seen Sunday night that a lot of guys are still running into those issues, but it seems to be more of taking the game into their own hands instead of doing what they should be doing (ie Ramsey/Samuel playing the run 100% and forgetting their pass coverage duties and giving Zay Flowers a wide open field).
 
steel dino said:
IMHO…
I believe they’re gonna to eventually transition Peyton Wilson into an outside linebacker
Click to expand...
I would like to see them add a little bit more of an athletic thumper in the middle. Having a run stopper is important as the NFL is shifting again, but the dude we have out there this year is so slow.
 
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