Beer We Go Steelers

The Steelers talked big, they just didn’t play big! Despite racking up 545 Yards of offense, a record setting day for Ben Roethlisberger and putting up 42 points, they were beaten to the punch all day by a tough and game Jacksonville Jaguars team.

Ben Roethlisberger, had a big day statistically, but he made two crucial and game changing mistakes that put the Steelers in a huge hole. The first was an interception on an errant throw to Vance McDonald that resulted in an interception deep in Steelers territory. The Jaguars converted that for seven points. The second, was a strip sack fumble where Ben held the ball for over eight seconds, that resulted in seven more points and reversed any momentum the Steelers had in the first half, putting them down by three touchdowns.

The plan for the Jaguars was clear, pound the football, keep the Steelers offense on the sidelines and have Blake Bortles throw underneath and avoid mistakes. He did just that. His numbers weren’t pretty but every time he needed to make a play he did it, including a wounded duck 45-Yard completion to Keelan Cole that Artie Burns just missed picking off.

The defense had an awful, embarrassing day. There is no other way to explain it. The front seven was consistently one or two seconds off on the pass rush. T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree were basically non-existent all day. The Jaguars constantly targeted Sean Spence’s side and he had no answers. By the time the Steelers figured out how to stop Leonard Fournette it was too late. They couldn’t force any turnovers despite several opportunities.

The Special Teams was almost an asset, making some nice plays on the return game as well as in the kicking game. Robert Golden turned in a big play on partially blocked punt to start the fourth quarter when it was 28-21. The offense wasted the field position when they were stopped on fourth-and-1 at the Jaguars 39 on JuJu Smith-Schuster play. He was clearly held on the play, but it was a risky call that didn’t pay off. Of course, the onside kick was a complete and total embarrassment and sealed any chance of winning the game. Little Bos literally hit Tyler Matakevitch with the kick resulting in a penalty.

It is easy to spread the blame around on this one. There were breakdowns on all facets of the game and that lands on the coaching staff. They absolutely looked unprepared for the Jaguars running attack and by the time they made the adjustment they were in a huge hole. The play calling was a flat-out disaster including two 4^th and 1 calls that were questionable. It was easy to understand the onside kick call, but not if there was no way to execute it.

The coaching staff owns this loss and they blew a 13-3 (Really 14-2) campaign and will now have to see if the window is closed on this group of talent. Ben can’t play forever, Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant most likely won’t be back. It is going to be a long off season.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Not going with anyone. Despite some great stats, it was an overall rotten day.

Where I watched the game: After some debate, in which we discussed the long shot of possibly going to the ‘Burgh or going into NYC to the Irish Exit, we stayed home in front of a fire with the Tailgate Kids. KGB made a great #sign and several dumplings as snacks, including Chicken, Buffalo Chicken and Edamame. We had Sausage and Peppers for dinner. The Beer of choice was Sam Adams Cold Snap!

My Stat of the week:  45 points given up to a team, that scored 10 points against the Buffalo Bills. Seriously? How is that possible.

My Thoughts on next week: There are absolutely going to be changes in the coaching staff. The Steelers were embarrassed at home to a tough but underwhelming team. Keith Butler and Todd Haley are going to be under fire. The big talk about the Patriots has to stop. This team gave up 45 points to the Jaguars, that leads you to believe that the Patriots would have scored 100 points. We will publish next week, the season report card and the roster review.

This week’s Jersey: Steelers home, Ernie Stautner #70,

The Steelers outlasted the Cleveland Browns, sending the Browns to an 0-16 season! Despite sitting several key players, the Steelers did enough to win and head into the post season as the number two seed.

The defense had a very strange day. They were tough up front setting the new Steelers record with 56 sacks. They had six sacks against the woeful Browns, Tyson Alualu led the team with two and did a great job filling the huge shoes of Steelhead Heyward. He led the point of attack with T.J. Watt and Vince Williams also pitching in. The Browns rushed for over 100 yards, but the running backs had little to no running room. The defense struggled with the mobile DeShone Kizer who slipped out of several jams including a 20-yard dash. The Browns offense had no room to run.

The Secondary is absolutely terrible right now. After a nice bounce back week against the Texans on Christmas, they were roasted again this time by an awful and inconsistent Browns offense. Kizer had a big day, hitting pass plays of 54 and 56 yards in the first half. The Secondary has now given up eight 50-plus-yard catches and thirteen 40-plus-yard catches allowed by the Steelers this season. Even the return of Joe Haden didn’t help. If Corey Coleman doesn’t drop a fourth down pass, the Browns might have pulled out the upset. Despite several opportunities the secondary only had one interception.

The offense had a very nice day behind a makeshift offensive line. Landry Jones, proved he is a capable backup, playing well. He also had to overcome playing with Chris Hubbard at Center who struggled in the shotgun. Jones moved the ball well, completing 15 of 18 passes for 187 yards and a TD before halftime and completed 18 of his last 19 passes and finished with a 100.5 rating and 239 yards passing. When the Steelers needed to move the ball they did.  

While Landry had a good day, JuJu Smith-Schuster had a great day, he finished with a season-high nine catches and 143 yards. He also had the first and only kick return for a TD this season with 96 yards! It was a big play because the Browns had just tied the game up. Eight different receivers caught passes with Martavis Bryant grabbing six!

Stevan Ridley showed he still has gas in the tank. Ridley had a terrific game rushing for 80 yards on 17 carries and broke off four runs of 10+ yards and he did a terrific job. He can be an asset in the playoffs. It was also great to see Darrius Heyward-Bey complete a 29-yard end-around for the first Steelers Touchdown.

In the end the biggest thing, was to make sure no one was hurt and to hold off the Browns. The Steelers did that.

The Steelers finished the regular season 13-3 and everyone knows it should have been 14-2!

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: No brainer, JuJu Smith-Schuster who had a huge day and has done a great job filling in for Antonio Brown. He caught a TD and ran back a kick return for a TD. He finished with 265 total yards! Also Considered: Matt Felier, Bloomsburg Grad made good in is his first start. Martavis Bryant is starting to bounce back!

Where I watched the game: The first 1Pm game in almost two months had us back at the house with the Tailgate Kids and KGB in front of the fire and with some great sandwiches (Italian and Buffalo Chicken) as the snack. The Beer of choice was Sam Adams Winter!

My Stat of the week:  21-Forty Plus Yard plays by the Steelers secondary. They need to tighten that stat up. Sean Davis and Artie Burns need to play much better in the playoffs!

My Thoughts on next week: The Steelers get a needed week off for the playoffs. The Steelers have played some rough first round games and they struggled to stay healthy. The bye should help that. The key is getting AB back for round two which will be a home game!

This week’s Jersey: Steelers Blackout, Heath Miller #83, which was a late Christmas present from KGB!