Beer We Go Steelers

The Steelers started slow, then dominated the New York Jets 37-15.

MORE TO COME.

BLOG WILL BE DELAYED due to travel

The Steelers got back on track with a big win against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated  in Week 6, securing a decisive 32-13 victory at Allegiant Stadium. The team got back on track and kept pace in the AFC North, after suffering back-to-back losses to the Colts and Cowboys.

After a dominant opening drive by the Raiders, the defense righted the ship and pummeled the Raiders up front. They shut down the Raiders offense and kept them in check all day, continuing to win the turnover battle. The defensive line generated a relentless pass rush, disrupting the Raiders’ quarterback Aidan O’Connell and creating opportunities for sacks and interceptions.

T.J. Watt had a dominant performance. He forced two fumbles including one on the goal line that all but eliminated a Raiders comeback. The stat sheet does not jump out at you, but he was a professional game wrecker. Cam Heyward recorded the only sack. He pushed the pile backwards all day and clogged the running lanes, contributing to the Steelers’ dominant defensive effort. Heyward helped limit the Raiders to just 57 yards on the ground. Patrick Queen led the team in tackles and was dominant in the middle.

Donte Jackson had his second red zone interception in two weeks. Aidan O’Connell finished with only 218 yards net. What was most impressive was the tackling though. The secondary had several solo tackles that slowed the Raiders screen game down.

After the Raiders opening drive, the Steelers controlled the tempo, establishing a powerful running game led by Najee Harris. Harris amassed 106 yards and a touchdown, consistently breaking tackles, and grinding down the Raiders. He had one run where he was hit by no less than NINE of the Raiders defenders. His 36-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was a highlight, showcasing his physicality and explosiveness.

Quarterback Justin Fields, continues to struggle with accuracy but he was a huge part of the Steelers’ offensive success, rushing for two touchdowns and efficiently managing the game. The stat sheet was far from impressive, he finished 14-24 for only 145 yards, but his ability to extend plays and make timely throws kept the Raiders defense off balance.

The receivers continue to be a work in progress. Enigmatic George Pickens led the team with three catches but had two crucial drops. Calvin Austin impresses when he gets the opportunity. The tight end group needs to get more involved. They combined for only four catches and 29 yards.

The Steelers’ special teams also played a key role in their victory. Chris Boswell continues to nail big field goals, hitting four on the day. Jeremiah Moon who is seeing significant action with the injuries to Herbig and Highsmith, made his biggest splash on special teams, blocking an A.J. Cole punt and setting the Steelers up for a Bos field goal.  Corliss Waitman did a nice job and dropped two of his three punts inside the 20.

The officiating crew had a tough day again, including botching an end of quarter clock issue and being way to involved in the game. Both fan bases will be unhappy at the performance.

The coaching staff deserves a great deal of credit. They made several adjustments from last week and while it was still not a great start, it was a better start for the offense. They established the run early and wore the Raiders out up front. They made the necessary adjustments on defense, which set the offense up for success, scoring the most points of the season.

The Steelers’ victory was a solid performance that showcased their strengths on all sides of the ball. It also served as a confidence booster for a team that had faced adversity in recent weeks.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Going with Najee Harris, I would say that was his best game as a Steelers RB. It might not be his best statistical game, but he absolutely set the tone and looked like the lynchpin of the offense. Also Considered: T.J. Watt with two forced fumbles, Donte Jackson with his second interception in two weeks. Cam Heyward with a monster sack. How about Little Bos?

Beer of the Game: Kicked it off with Sam Adams Octoberfest for my pregame then went back to Miller Lite Tall Boys for the actual game.

“Steel the Snacks”: So KGB went with the Asian Buffet theme that is so prevalent in Las Vegas. Dumplings and Cream Cheese Wontons were outstanding! We started the snacks early, because D-Man was home for the weekend and was starving.

My Stat of the week:  Don’t want this to come across as negative, it is meant as a positive stat albeit a frustrating one. Chris Boswell with his big day has 50 points the rest of the Steelers Combined: 48. Najee Harris had his first rushing touchdown of the year…it is week 6! Cam Hewyard played in his 200th game as a Pittsburgh Steeler!

My Thoughts on next week: Steelers will face the first of the two New York teams, The Jets with their ridiculous coaching situation and with Super Bowl villain Aaron Rodgers at the helm.

Jersey of the Week:  Heath Miller #83, Black Out Jersey. I absolutely love this jersey, it is one of my favorites!

The Steelers formula didn’t pan out this time, as they dropped a tough lost to the Dallas Cowboys 20-17.

The formula for Steelers victory in 2024 is a familiar one, do not make mistakes on offense, score what you need, then play stifling defense to hold off your opponent. Sunday, the formula was almost complete, until about 20 seconds left in the game, when the Steelers defense couldn’t keep the Dallas Cowboys out of the end zone.

It was a strange game marred by a one hour plus weather delay. The Steelers had several missed opportunities and in the end it sent them to 3-2. Three turnovers and a blocked field goal…and still lost.

The calls for Russell Wilson will be loud this week. Justin Fields had a good game, but made several key mistakes that cost the Steelers, he missed wide open targets and continued his trend with slow starts. He missed a wide-open Connor Heyward on a perfectly designed play action pass, he also misfired to Darnell “Mt.” Washington’s head by the end zone. He missed a wide-open George Pickens on a crucial third down. He finished 15-27 for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Najee Harris, started strong, then the Cowboys keyed in on him and shut the running game down. Fields designed run plays worked out well. George Pickens was only a factor in the penalty column.

The defense was okay but began to wear down during the stretch. It was no secret that the pass rush, already operating without Alex Highsmith, was all but extinct by the fourth quarter when Nick Herbig left with what looked like a hamstring injury and DeMarvin Leal left with a stinger after being cheap shotted.

The secondary is going to get roasted again this week, because despite some quality plays. They did have two interceptions including a red zone pick off by Donte Jackson. But they bent to often and gave up four completions of 25 yards or more. They couldn’t find one more big play to seal the victory.

The special teams were emblematic of the entire game. Several exciting plays, but so many crucial mistakes. Isaiahh Lowdermilk, had a blocked field goal. Chris Boswell and Corlis Waitman did well in the kicking. But the return game is nonexistent and the coverage units were embarrassing, including a 38 yard return to start the game.

Coaching was problematic. How many more weeks can you start off so slow. The fact that once again the Steelers mangled the fourth quarter clock is tough to swallow. Imagine if they had the last timeout that they burned setting their defense for Dallas’s fourth down try? The timeout killed any chance of a comeback and let Dallas make a fresh substitution on offense.

If football is a game of inches, the Steelers missing so many key inches has left them 3-2.

BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Going with Cam Heyward, he had a very big game and at times he seemed like he was out there all alone. Also Considered: Elandon Roberts who almost saved the game, T.J. Watt who got the 100^th sack of his career, before he was hurt Nick Herbig was having a big game.

Beer of the Game: We were at Acrisure stadium, so we had a combination of Miller Lite and IC Lite. Both staples of my Pittsburgh Game Day. KGB had a Sam Adams that some jag knocked over in his 20 trips to the bathroom.

“Steel the Snacks”: This week should be titled “Steel Snacks”, we had Suneri Atomic Rolls at the Terrible Bra Tailgate. A Pittsburgh Must! Got to catch up with all our peops, including the BWG Founders!

My Stat of the week:  Obviously 100 Sacks for T.J. he was the second fastest to get there behind only Reggie White. He gets double teamed and held on almost every series. I am now 1-2 vs The Cowboys all-time. This is my second straight last second loss to the ‘Boys. UGGGH

My Thoughts on next week: Steelers will head to Las Vegas for a game against the rival Raiders. There is so much tradition between these two. It will seem like a Steelers home game!

Jersey of the Week:  My gamer, “Mean” Joe Greene, Home #75, this is my go to jersey for games, in my entire “career” of seeing the Steelers, I have only worn two others, Hines Ward and an L.C. Greenwood (Throwback) the weekend he passed.