Cincinnati Bengals 13 Pittsburgh Steelers 10

Remember that time, oh so long ago when the Steelers actually won a game? Oh, ’tis but a memory now, but what a grand memory it was.

The Steelers playoff hopes are also but a distant memory, as the lost against the Bengals eliminated the Steelers from the playoffs. This January while Ben Roethlisberger and company are enjoying lovely golf weather who knows where, the likes of the Ravens and the Bengals will be fighting for a shot at the Lombardi.

» Continue reading “Same Old Same Old From The Steelers”

Dallas Cowboys 27 Pittsburgh Steelers 24, OT

Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals.

That was the difference in this very winable game for the Steelers.

The bend-but-don’t-break defense broke, thanks to poor tackling. A key fumble on special teams by Antonio Brown, flipped momentum and enabled the Cowboys to tie up the game in the fourth quarter. The offense could not capitalize on a fumble recovered by the defense. Ben Roethlisberger was only 24 for 40 in the game, with several passes off-target, including the interception in overtime that set up the game-winning field goal for the Cowboys.

At least Mike Wallace had a decent enough game.

» Continue reading “Fundamentals Doom Steelers”

San Diego Chargers 34 Pittsburgh Steelers 24

Ben Roethlisberger was back under center for the Steelers, but that really didn’t matter as the entire team decided against showing up for this game.

The Steelers’ many miscues set up plenty of opportunities for Philip Rivers and the Chargers, who took advantage of these opportunities. Where do I even begin?

• Back-to-back offsides penalties by Troy Polamalu and James Harrison gave the Chargers a first down and set up a 51-yard Nick Novak field goal for the first score of the game.
• Antonio Brown attempted to recover a lateral in the end zone instead of taking the safety.
• Big Ben throws an interception deep in his own territory, that sets up the final score for the Chargers.
• The defense’s general inability to stop the Chargers on third down.
• Special teams penalties. Again.

» Continue reading “Multiple Mistakes Doom Steelers Against Chargers”

Pittsburgh Steelers 23 Baltimore Ravens 20

Step back from that ledge, Steeler Nation. After last week’s embarrassing performance in Cleveland and Charlie Batch starting against the Ravens, things weren’t looking to great for the Steelers.

Chill out, y’all. Charlie Batch has got this.

» Continue reading “World’s Oldest Man Leads Steelers To Victory In Baltimore”

Cleveland Browns 20 Pittsburgh Steelers 14

This sums up the Steelers’ offensive effort in one simple image.

The Steelers were playing without Ben Roethlisberger and the rest of the offense decided to take the game off as well.

How else can you explain the million fumbleceptions given up by the offense?

With the third-string quarterback starting for the Steelers, the running game was going to be the primary focus. Unfortunately for the Steelers, the entire running back corp came down with a severe case of fumblitis. Rashard Mendenhall kicked things off in the Fumble Sweepstakes, but Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer, and Chris Rainey also managed to fumble the ball.

Not to be outdone, Charlie Batch threw three interceptions.

It’s rather telling that the best looking Steelers throw on the afternoon came on a last-ditch lateral by Mike Wallace.

The defensive unit put forth another spectacular game in a wasted effort. Considering the sheer amount of turnovers and the field position advantage the Browns had, this game should not have been this close. Credit the Steelers’ defense for pushing the Browns out of field goal range.

» Continue reading “Steelers Fumble Game Away Against Browns”

Pittsburgh Steelers 24 New York Giants 20

Don’t let the final score fool you. This game should not have been that close.

The Steelers defense continued its dominance despite the absence of Troy Polamalu. Eli Manning was held to 125 yards on the afternoon and was only 10 for 24. Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley brought plenty of pressure and each had a sack for their efforts. Ike Taylor even had an interception.

You read that right. Ike Taylor actually held onto the ball for a pick.

On offense, Ben Roethlisberger had another steady game. He was 21 for 30 for 216 yards and two touchdowns. However, the star of the game had to be Isaac Redman. Redman got the start due to injuries to Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Dwyer, and made the most of it, rushing for 147 yards on 26 carries and one touchdown. After a dreadful start this season and numerous injuries each week, the running game has finally found its rhythm. This is the third straight week a Steelers running back has run for over a hundred yards.

The receiving corp stepped up after Antonio Brown left the game due to injury. Jerricho Cotchery made the most of his opportunities with four receptions for 50 yards. Mike Wallace had a beautiful catch and run for a 51 yard touchdown. I don’t know about you, but when Ike Taylor and Mike Wallace both hold onto the ball in the same game it makes me kind of wonder if they Myans were right and the world really is ending.

With all that said, why was this game so close? Well, the refs for one. The Steelers also making bone-headed plays also didn’t help.

Now, I hate blaming the refs on the outcome of the game. Good teams find ways to overcome bad calls. But wow, did the Giants ever receive the benefit of some bad calls. Their first touchdown was set up in part to a long pass interference call on Keenan Lewis. Lewis had good coverage on the play, but apparently “pass interference” apparently means “personal space bubble violation.” Later on in that series the Giants got new life after a goal-line stand when Ryan Clark was flagged for a “blow to to the head after the play”. Upon review of the play, Clark hit Victor Cruz in the shoulder after Taylor deflected the pass, but just before the ball hit the ground. I not only question the ref’s perception of reality, but also his perception of anatomy.

» Continue reading “Steelers Overcome Bad Calls And Botched Plays To Beat The Giants”

Pittsburgh Steelers 27 Washington 12

Despite looking like a hoard of tracker jackers and being the laughing stock of the Twitterverse in their new throwbacks, the Pittsburgh Steelers shut down RG III and company on Sunday.

Ben Roethlisberger had another stellar game, throwing for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Heath Miller continues to thrive under the new Todd Haley offense with four receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown. Jonathan Dwyer had another 100-yard running game with 107 yards on the day. After an embarrassing performance on Sunday Night Football last week, Mike Wallace actually caught the ball to be the Steelers’ leading receiver in the game with 62 yards.

» Continue reading “Steelers Win Despite Looking Like Bees”

Tennessee Titans 26 Pittsburgh Steelers 23

Dear the Steelers,

What can I say? You played like crap and made me stay up late. I am not a happy camper.

Sure, you have plenty of excuses. Troy Polamalu and LaMarr Woodley were out with injuries. And sure, Maurkice Pouncey, Marcus Gilbert, Isaac Redman, and Rashard Mendenhall to injuries. But did Ike Taylor injure the part of him that can actually cover his man?

Sorry, that injury excuse doesn’t fly with me. So really, what’s your deal?

» Continue reading “Dear The Steelers: You Are Bad And You Should Feel Bad”

Pittsburgh Steelers 16 Philadelphia Eagles 14

A win is a win, but boy was it ugly. Between the dumb penalties, dropped passes, and the bad snaps the Steelers weren’t giving themselves much of a chance to win this game. Not to mention the Steelers lost Troy Polamalu and LaMarr Woodley to injuries. Fortunately for the Steelers, Michael Vick and the Eagles really didn’t want to win the game either.

The Good

Rashard Mendenhall returned and, what do you know, so did the running game. Mendenhall had 81 yards and a touchdown as well as  20 receiving yards on the day. Mendenhall played an important part in the final drive, racking up yards and taking time off the clock. Welcome back, Rashard.

» Continue reading “Steelers Win Despite Repeatedly Shooting Themselves In The Foot”

Oakland Raiders 34 Pittsburgh Steelers 31

Apparently on their trip to Oakland the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to check the defense with their luggage. Somewhere along the way the airline lost the luggage and the defense.

That’s the only explanation I have for this game. How else can you explain all the missed tackles and Carson Palmer looking like a professional quarterback?

Things looked great for the Steelers, as Ryan Clark picked off Carson Palmer on the first play of the game. Just like old times. And then the defense decided to let the Punt, Pass, and Kick winners play defense because of reasons.

» Continue reading “Airline Loses Steelers Defense; Steelers Lose Game”