GRADING THE STEELERS’ 31-28 LOSS TO THE SAINTS IN NEW ORLEANS
Again, the Steelers didn’t
receive help in the early games and desperately needed a win over the New Orleans
Saints to maintain their slim lead in the AFC North race. They didn’t, and now
need a miracle next week in the Cleveland/Baltimore game next along with a win
over Cincy.
Despite my less than prestigious BTSC teaching certificate,
I have to issue the necessary disclaimer. You know the story; of course, I’m
not a football coach, or a teacher, but I play one in blogs and podcasts. All
week, I found myself noticing just how equal the two teams actually are and
that shows in their respective records. And then I realized that these teams
both usually battle fiercely in tight contests. Then the game happened and
judgments followed.
Grading games is an extremely difficult and somewhat
thankless task. While the coaches’ grades, of course, are what count the most,
the media and fans can’t help but evaluate as well.
SO LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT MY EARLY PERCEPTIONS
OFFENSE: C
Ben Roethlisberger was
33 of 50 for 380 yards and threw three TD passes. He was the Ben we needed down
the stretch. Antonio Brown was
phenomenal with than 14 catches for 185 yards and two scores. JuJu Smith-Schuster
played hurt and still had 11 receptions for 115 yards. His crucial fumble was
more of a takeaway than a giveaway. The running game succumbed to the games
best run defenders though and the play calling was suspect, especially the
third and two that Stevan Ridley fumbled away.
DEFENSE: C
Despite holding an offense that averages 38 points-per-game
at home to 31 and despite being jobbed numerous times by referees, the
defensive scheme led many to scratch their heads and grab a clump or two of
hair during the process. Employing linebackers on the league’s leading receiver
(Michael
Thomas), giving up 160 YAC and surrendering a third-and-20 late
in the game is unacceptable. They did enough to win it, but still aren’t
closing it out.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B-
Tome, the fake punt wasn’t really a ST gaffe...It was a
coaching one. Nothing really stood out here good or bad, except Chris Boswell’s
perfect day.
OVERALL GRADE: D+
In the end, great performances were done in by bad coaching
decisions and bad luck. It’s most likely going to end their season way too
early.
VALEDICTORIAN: Antonio Brown
HONOR ROLL: Ben Roethlisberger, Morgan
Burnett, T.J. Watt,
Chris Boswell, Sean Davis,
Cam Heyward, JuJu Smith Schuster
DETENTION: Mike Tomlin, Stevan Ridley, Keith Butler,
Randy Fichtner
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