The Steelers did not rush the passer, did not attempt many throws beyond the 5-yard variety, and made a key boner on special teams, all leading to a 17-14 loss to New England yesterday. Fortunately for them, all of the other AFC North teams lost as well.
A week after sacking the Bengals’ Joe Burrow seven times, the Steelers defense never troubled the Patriots Mac Jones, getting no sacks and very little pressure on the second-year QB.
Trailing by three midway through the fourth quarter, the Steelers’ offense went three-and-out twice and gave New England the ball back with 6 minutes, 33 seconds left, but the Patriots were unstoppable and ran out the clock. The key play for the Steelers was a muffed punt by Gunnar Olszewski in the third quarter, which gave New England the ball back at the Steelers’ 20 and led to a 2-yard, game-winning touchdown run from Damien Harris three plays later.
Coach Mike Tomlin says the Steelers did not make the plays when they needed to.
Tomlin says the Steelers need to quickly digest what happened yesterday and then turn their attention to this Thursday night’s game at Cleveland.
Quarterback Mitch Trubiskey was 21 of 33 passing for 168 yards with an interception and a touchdown pass, but he rarely looked downfield, preferring instead to throw one and two yard passes and hoping for a big run after the catch. He says the offense has to improve quickly.
Najee Harris ran the ball 15 times for only 49 yards. He says the Steelers can be much better.
The Steelers played the game without linebacker TJ Watt. They lost linebacker Devin Bush to a suspected foot or ankle injury but he appeared to be okay after the game and was “being evaluated”, according to Tomlin.
