by Bo Marchionte
Pittsburgh – “We’re a 1-2 football team,” said Mike Tomlin both pissed off and frustrated after losing to Cincinnati 24-10.
He was quick to defer and deflate most questions and leave little to go on moving forward. His opinion on Najee Harris performance with 14 catches (a new team record for a running back), he wasn’t shy from giving a response.
“Don’t ask me if I’m happy about anything,” said Mike Tomlin disgusted after his Steelers lost to Cincinnati 24-10 at home.
“We just played poorly and got beat,” continued Tomlin.
It’s a variety of issues that need to gel quickly for Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh is at a crossroads offensively. Ben Roethlisberger, new offensive coordinator (Matt Canada), and new offensive line unit make for plenty of illnesses that need cured for this team to make this year a winning season. Currently the Steelers are 1-2, with more questions than answers.
The offense has yet to score any first quarter points after three games and rank 24th in points in the National Football League. Today they manage 10-points, which fail below their already dismal 16 points per game they were averaging.
“Yards, but it doesn’t necessarily point’s” said Tomlin about moving the football in between the twenties but not finding the end zone. There was a avalanche of mistakes that led to their demise.
“We’re not playing well enough,” said Tomlin on the offenses struggles. “We’re not making enough plays, some of those one-on-one plays.”
And, obviously, the initial part of the game you the penalties. Every time we possessed the ball… You get a holding penalty, it’s a drive killer. The penalty aspect of play did not give us a chance to establish any rhythm, particularly at the early portions of the game.”
Each team got flagged ten times but overall, but Cincinnati was able to execute enough plays for the win.
Penalties. Turnovers. Injuries are played into the unraveling of a team that had won 11 of the last 13 games against the Bengals prior to their second consecutive loss to their AFC North opponent. Cincinnati hadn’t won since November of 2015 at Heinz Field but were able to head back to Ohio with a win.
Even veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger appears to be trying to make something out of nothing. Extending the play to eye a target down field has led to sacks and turnovers. Over his last four games including the playoffs he has thrown seven interceptions. Roethlisberger was sacked 13 times over the course of his entire 2020 season, the combination of holding on to the football and a new offensive line, in 2021, have led to the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback to be sacked eight times with 14 games left to play.
“I wasn’t disappointed with the way the line played today,” said Roethlisberger who was sacked four times today. “When we dropped back as many times as we did against that defensive line and that group. I thought they did a good job. And I told them that. I just told them I appreciated their efforts.”
Roethlisberger was hit seven times this afternoon and 22 times over the course of three games. It is becoming an ongoing sequence to see the 39-year-old grimace getting off up off the ground. A ticking time bomb outcome if this trend continues and he is repeated as the season moves forward.
Tomlin and Roethlisberger were resolute that they maintain the current path despite not having much offensive success early in the season.
“I’m not interested in making any plans as I sit here right now,” said Tomlin regarding shaking up it somehow.
The ‘right now’ are the two key words in his response. If next weekend in Green Bay they are unable to put points on the board and fall to 1-3 – Will ‘right now’ be a must.
“We believe in what we’re doing,” said Roethlisberger echoing the Tomlin’s response. “And we’re not going to quit on it. We’re not going to quit on each other. We’ll see when we come in tomorrow. I’m going to look the guys in the eye and make sure no one else is quitting.”
The record of this team leaving Lambeau Field next Sunday is a huge indicator on what direction this team is headed under the current set of circumstances. Falling to 1-3, with a below average offensive line and key injuries to a stout defense leaves some doubt on how this team can maintain a level of winning adequate to the liking of a franchise rich in success.
“Just don’t quit,” said Roethlisberger.
There’s a little something called pride when you play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, when put on the black and gold on. You may not have the best day. Things may not be going you way. But you don’t quit, and you get back up and you fight.”
Probably why this team hasn’t’ had a losing season, since 2003 (6-10).
The concoction for success has yet to be figured out but all the ingredients are there…
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt