Understatement of the year in Pittsburgh sports…the Steelers are maddeningly frustrating.
This a team that is the epitome of any and all of the following: bizarre, inconsistent, dysfunctional, implosive, dangerous, full of potential.
Let me start with that first descriptor, “bizarre.” How can a team stomp all over a first-place Indianapolis Colts (8-4) team led by a top-tier quarterback (Andrew Luck) and its division rival Baltimore Ravens (7-5) the next week, setting passing records, mounting yardage totals and piling points galore, only to also have inexplicable, devastating losses to the likes of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-10), New York Jets (2-9) and now a struggling New Orleans Saints (5-7) team that could not seem to buy a turnover until they visited Heinz Field on Sunday?
Lest we not forget also the pitiful showing at Cleveland when the Browns laid a 31-10 thumping down on their hated rivals from one state over.
In the four weeks since peaking at 6-3 after Ben Roethlisberger threw six touchdowns against each the Colts and Ravens, Pittsburgh has lost to the Jets, barely squeaked by a bad Tennessee Titans (2-10) team, then got healthy during the bye week only to fall at home for the second time this season to a team from the worst division in the NFL. At 5-7, the Saints are tied for the NFC South lead with the Atlanta Falcons, whom the Steelers will see on the road in two weeks.
But first, Pittsburgh will try to get back on the right track in the first of two division games still remaining on the schedule, both against the AFC North-leading Cincinnati Bengals (8-3-1). With one more win and two less losses than the other three teams in the division (all 7-5), Cincinnati can all but bury one of those teams by upending Pittsburgh at Paul J. Brown Stadium next weekend.
Pittsburgh will bring a lot of baggage to Cincinnati on its final road trip of the season, including the aforementioned inconsistent play, occasional dysfunction from certain players (to be named later) and an implosive nature on the field highlighted by the types of plays that can be described only as “shooting yourself in the foot.” Trying to remain positive, this team also will bring a dangerous offensive attack and a defense full of potential if it ever gets completely healthy and finally clicks.
This week against the Saints, the likes of Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor returned, but important young pieces of the current and future defenses remained missing in Jarvis Jones and rookie Ryan Shazier. And don’t forget Cortez Allen, who lost his starting job due to poor performance and is now injured to make things worse for his situation.
Brett Keisel was lost for the season and possibly more with what may be a career-ending torn triceps injury. James Harrison tortured Luck and Joe Flacco in those midseason battles, but teams seem to be more prepared for him now. I literally cannot remember any one play in which Cam Thomas has made a significant impact on the defensive line and as for safety Mike Mitchell? Let’s save him for another time…his failures as a leader and offseason free agent addition to this defense deserve a completely separate discussion.
Yes, the defense is faulty and banged up and just not very good. Famed coordinator Dick LeBeau is probably nearing the end of his career and perhaps a new philosophy could really benefit the current crop of players as the veterans near retirement and the youth takes over.
But on offense, a strong ground attack led by one of the league’s newest stars in Le’Veon Bell (254 total yards of offense on Sunday – 95 rushing), a receiver who is unstoppable at times in Antonio Brown and a two-time Super Bowl-winning QB in Roethlisberger all does not seem to be enough at times.
This three-headed monster eats up the yards like few other teams, but points are not being scored enough when it counts. Red zone failures turn sure touchdowns into field goals. Taking drive-killing sacks and turnovers at inopportune times have become the norm anymore, so it’s no wonder the defense is worn down and pressured to make no mistakes.
As for the departed LeGarrette Blount, he’s looking pretty good in a New England Patriots uniform if you haven’t noticed. He’s getting what he wanted and probably deserved…carries. And he’s still rewarding his team with around five yards per carry. Pittsburgh will regret allowing that whole mess to happen, mark my words.
Some of the others issues on each side of the football are very reparable, but with just four games remaining, time is of the essence in Pittsburgh. A team cannot just always cut every player not pulling his weight or not representing the “Steelers way.” Right now, the “Steelers way” is producing a very average NFL franchise.
Yet no matter how annoyed you or I are with this team, the fact is that the standings read seven wins, five losses, tied for second place in the league’s most competitive division. Half of the remaining games are against the one team ahead in the standings and the other half are against the Wild Card-contending Kansas City Chiefs and the Falcons, who are very similar to the Saints.
Either Pittsburgh will figure it all out and play to a level of full potential, finishing strong and returning to the playoffs. Or…the cynical, disparate cycle of mediocrity will rear its ugly head again in a city demanding of success from its beloved football team.
The story will write itself in this upcoming month of December and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, hanging on to every word. Even if you know you may not care for the outcome.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
