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The Pittsburgh Steelers looked to be playing the Kansas City Chiefs at their most vulnerable as a multitude of Chiefs players were announced to be on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. However, the only team that looked vulnerable were the Steelers who were trounced from the 7th seed in the AFC in a 36-10 domination by the Chiefs. To make things worse, it was not the return of Tyreek Hill that hurt the Steelers the most, but WR Byron Pringle who pulled in 6 catches for 75 yards and 2 TDs.
Ben Roethlisberger, Najee Harris and Diontae Johnson were unable to muster up any kind of threat in the first half, being limited to only 109 yards (80 passing, 29 rushing) and the only chance to get on the board in the first half was lost due to a Chris Boswell missed 34-yard FG. The offense went a 5th consecutive game without a TD in the first half – a futility unmatched since the organization was renamed from the Pirates to the Steelers in 1940. In fact, the Steelers would not put their first points on the board until a Boswell FG with 3:34 in the 4th quarter and would not score a TD until Johnson (6 catches for 51 yards) converted a 4th and 4 with a shifty one-on-one move to the endzone with 2:54 left. Harris was held to just under 100 yards (93 on 19 carries) on the evening, but was not a major factor.
Considering the skill talent on the Steelers roster, it does beg a question to be asked. While the players on the field must execute, at what point do the coaches with their schemes become accountable? The ultimate responsibility of course falls upon Mike Tomlin, as well as those under his charge – like the decision to hire first year offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Canada’s off-season dismissal should be an automatic decision, given the regression the offense has taken on the season. To be fair, he never should have been hired in the first place. Tomlin’s ineffective hires of 1st year coaches have continuously been a bane to the progression of the Steelers development and should also be placed under the microscope.
The Steelers have been uneven at best all season and the game vs. Kansas City was among the worst showings. The Chiefs ran up a 23-0 lead by halftime without much effort, allowing Patrick Mahomes over 200 yards passing in the first half alone. It seemed like Andy Reid even pulled the reigns back on his offense when the Chiefs had secured the game upon going up 30-0, a classy move reminiscent of what Bill Cowher would often do.
While the Steelers were knocked out of the 7th seed, their playoff hopes do remain alive, as the AFC playoff picture remains very cloudy and muddy. In fact, the Steelers could very well win the AFC North considering the overall putrid play of the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. The question becomes, even if they do win the division and make the playoffs, what kind of impact can they make beyond a ceremonious final hurrah for Big Ben?
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Ben Roethlisberger, Najee Harris and Diontae Johnson were unable to muster up any kind of threat in the first half, being limited to only 109 yards (80 passing, 29 rushing) and the only chance to get on the board in the first half was lost due to a Chris Boswell missed 34-yard FG. The offense went a 5th consecutive game without a TD in the first half – a futility unmatched since the organization was renamed from the Pirates to the Steelers in 1940. In fact, the Steelers would not put their first points on the board until a Boswell FG with 3:34 in the 4th quarter and would not score a TD until Johnson (6 catches for 51 yards) converted a 4th and 4 with a shifty one-on-one move to the endzone with 2:54 left. Harris was held to just under 100 yards (93 on 19 carries) on the evening, but was not a major factor.
Considering the skill talent on the Steelers roster, it does beg a question to be asked. While the players on the field must execute, at what point do the coaches with their schemes become accountable? The ultimate responsibility of course falls upon Mike Tomlin, as well as those under his charge – like the decision to hire first year offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Canada’s off-season dismissal should be an automatic decision, given the regression the offense has taken on the season. To be fair, he never should have been hired in the first place. Tomlin’s ineffective hires of 1st year coaches have continuously been a bane to the progression of the Steelers development and should also be placed under the microscope.
The Steelers have been uneven at best all season and the game vs. Kansas City was among the worst showings. The Chiefs ran up a 23-0 lead by halftime without much effort, allowing Patrick Mahomes over 200 yards passing in the first half alone. It seemed like Andy Reid even pulled the reigns back on his offense when the Chiefs had secured the game upon going up 30-0, a classy move reminiscent of what Bill Cowher would often do.
While the Steelers were knocked out of the 7th seed, their playoff hopes do remain alive, as the AFC playoff picture remains very cloudy and muddy. In fact, the Steelers could very well win the AFC North considering the overall putrid play of the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. The question becomes, even if they do win the division and make the playoffs, what kind of impact can they make beyond a ceremonious final hurrah for Big Ben?
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
