That’s the longest we’ve stayed up to watch a Steelers game in…well I don’t even know how long. But we probably would have been better off just going to sleep before 1AM anyways.
After a late game drive that saw the Steelers go on top 17-13 in the fourth quarter, the defense could not hold up and allowed a back-breaking, almost surgical drive by Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys.
The Steelers have now lost back to back games for the first time since Weeks 14 and 15 against Arizona and New England, respectively. There’s a lot to discuss about this disappointing game, so let’s do just that.
1: Ok, Let’s Talk Timeouts…Again
I talked in Week 4’s review about timeout management, and how their failure to properly use them was a contributor in the loss.
Well, the more things change, the more things stay the same. Mike Tomlin had burned all three of his timeouts in situations that were questionable at best, ensuring that when the Steelers had fallen behind 20-17 with 20 seconds left on the clock, they had no choice but to rush two embarrassing plays.
But even if you can justify the first two (which in the second half, I personally just never can), the Steelers still had one with 20-ish seconds to go and the lead still in hand. On the play before the final score, Pittsburgh’s defense looked out of sync, and Tomlin stepped in and called his final one. Keep in mind, this happened after Dallas had called a timeout.
Tomlin still takes the timeout, and Dallas still scores a touchdown, taking the lead and the life right out of Acrisure Stadium.
Having even one of those timeouts would have made a comeback at least possible. Having none sealed Pittsburgh’s fate.
To see timeout management this poor is very discouraging to say the least.
2: That Final Drive Should Be Impossible
We can talk about the great things this defense did, and there were plenty of them. Two interceptions, a fumble recovery, a pair of sacks – that’s all well and good. It’s just a shame none of that matters.
For a defense that is paid as much as they are, having the Cowboys shove the football clean down their throats should be never happen. It should be unthinkable, inconceivable, impossible. And yet it happened.
The fact of the matter is that the Steeler defense was ragdolled by the Cowboys as long as Dallas got out of their own way. The Cowboys 445 total yards against them, including 336 yards through the air. Dallas was 9/15 on third down conversions and averaged 5.9 yards per play.
So even though that final drive should never be able to happen, it was merely an example of what the Cowboys had found ways to do all night long. The only difference was, Prescott made the play when he needed to.
Having a team that is this reliant on their defense is an entirely different conversation. But this is the makeup of this team. Too many players failed in big moments. Beanie Bishop looked like an undrafted free agent. Patrick Queen should have a missing person’s report filed on his behalf. The secondary was a mess all game, including another off night from Minkah Fitzpatrick.
It was a mess.
3: Justin Fields Underperformed
I’ll admit, I took a lot of positives out of last week’s loss, especially in the second half. I loved the way Justin Fields responded after some really bad gaffes early in the game. His second half showed a ton of fight and it had me really encouraged to see him get into this game against Dallas.
He didn’t deliver last night.
In his primetime debut with the Steelers, Fields went 15/27 for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He looked out of sorts.
The passes just didn’t connect at all in the game. He had no luck in the deep threat, partially due to poor receiver play and partially due to inaccurate throws. He looked like a backup quarterback tonight, and that was the first time I’ve watched him this season and truly thought that.
His stat line resembled a Kenny Pickett stat line (minus the touchdowns, obviously). It was just a very discouraging performance from the young quarterback, and I don’t think the coaching staff was all that pleased.
All I’m saying is, don’t be surprised if Russell Wilson’s calf suddenly looks a lot better next week.
4: The Ghost Of George Pickens
George Pickens was nowhere to be found tonight. His biggest moment of the night was the first time cameras got a look at his eyeblack.
However, there was a bigger story unfolding behind the scenes with Pickens. He was noticeably absent from the field far too often for Pittsburgh last night. Pickens only played 38 of 58 offensive snaps for the Steelers. For reference, Calvin Austin had 44, and Van Jefferson had 47. Pickens had 3 catches for 26 yards.
Now usually I try to keep postgame comments out of these reviews, because I try to get the rawest possible thoughts that aren’t influenced by anything that happened after the game. I’m going to break that rule to say that Tomlin had an answer for why Pickens’ snap count was so limited last night.
If there’s no underlying story, then there’s no reason for this to happen. Pickens is your best (and really your only) big offensive threat. Keeping him off the field is only making the opposing defense’s job much easier. Teams already do not fear the Steelers’ offense. A Pickens-less offense is even less intimidating.
It makes me wonder if there’s an underlying story Tomlin just doesn’t want to tell. Of course, that’s only speculation.
I also would not be surprised if Pickens gets fined or even suspended for his actions on the final play. It’s probably just a fine, but this was really uncalled for.
5: A Nod To Kyle Allen
Full disclosure, I was prepared to give Kyle Allen some serious props in the event the Steelers won. To me, it was his five seconds of fame that helped jumpstart a sluggish Pittsburgh offense.
Instead, his efforts will be instantly forgotten, withering away in a loss that frankly just shouldn’t have happened. However, I am still choosing to give Allen his flowers.
Early in the second half, Justin Fields got lit up early in the second half on a late hit by Tyrus Wheat, who was flagged a 15-yard penalty as a result.
The officials called a medical timeout on the field for Fields, which led to a lot of confusion as Fields had looked to be advocating to stay in the game. After a lengthy conversation, and Fields trying to get back into position to run a play, he eventually was taken off the field and into the blue medical tent.
Enter Kyle Allen.
Allen, who has served as the backup to Fields all season long, entered the game in an unfavorable position, leading a slugging offense that was on its own side of the 50.
After the Steelers drew up a running play in Allen’s first snap, they gave him a chance to sling the ball, and Allen delivered. On 2nd & 5, Allen delivered a 19-yard strike to Pat Freiermuth for a first down.
Fields came back into the game after this play, going 4-for-4 and delivering a touchdown pass to Connor Heyward.
That was a drive that, in my mind, was sparked by the play of Allen. His 19-yard completion was not only the longest play of the game at that point, it also matched the total passing yards total that the Steelers until then.
In the end, it’s a little sad that this was one of the best plays of the day for Pittsburgh’s offense. But we have a whole week for doom and gloom, so I’ll just choose to appreciate Allen’s pass for right now.
(Featured photo by Barry Reeger, Imagn Images)
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