Beer We Go Steelers

The Steelers came back then blew the game.

The Steelers kept it close and took the lead in the fourth quarter and then forced Jameis Winston to turn it over with less than five minutes remaining. This played into the Steelers usual plan for success. It wasn’t to be, a leaky defense, crazy weather and suspect play calling kept the Steelers from tightening their grip on first place in the AFC North and gave the Browns the 24-19 win.

It was a strange game in none of the units played poorly, but all the units made key mistakes and errors that would eventually cost the Steelers the game.

The Steelers defense had a strong start to the game, forcing several three-and-outs and keeping the Browns offense in check. However, they struggled to contain the Browns late in the game, allowing them to score the game-winning touchdown with 57 seconds remaining.

The defense allowed the Browns to go four for four on fourth down conversions. T.J. Watt was handled effectively and shutout in sacks. The defensive line was tough, but shrunk on the weighty downs. Despite holding the Browns to under 100 yards on the ground they had no push up front. The defense finished with just one sack by Nick Herbig.

The Steelers’ offense struggled in yesterday’s snowy game against the Browns. Despite some explosive plays, including a 46-yard completion to Calvin Austin III, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Penalties, including a false start on a potential field goal attempt, hindered their progress.

Overall, the offense lacked consistency and struggled to sustain drives in the challenging weather conditions. While Russell Wilson had some solid moments, the team’s inability to finish drives proved costly. Wilson finished with 21-28 for 270 yards and a touchdown. The Justin Fields experiment was exciting but had mixed results. He finished 0-1 passing and the miss was costly. Fields missed a long pass play to George Pickens and the Steelers were forced to punt. Fields rushed for 26 yards on the ground.

The special teams had a rough night in their loss to the Browns. If last week was Corliss Waitman’s best game as a Steeler, last night was his worst. A short punt by Waitman set the Browns up in Steelers territory, setting up the game-winning drive. Chris Boswell missed his first field goal attempt a 58-yard in the snow. He hit his next two attempts including a 48-yarder.

The play calling was suspect yesterday on offense and it cost the Steelers, going 1-3 on fourth downs hurt.

The Steelers will have a little over a week to recover and make this look like a blip on the radar.

BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Calvin Austin III, who led the team in receiving and scored a go-ahead touchdown that didn’t stick. Also Considered: Nick Herbig for his big play strip sack.

Beer of the Game: I went with Smithwicks 16-ounce pounders, one of my favorite beers. KGB stayed with wine which she had with dinner, and we had our oldest guy over for the game.

“Steel the Snacks”: KGB made mini corned beef sandwiches on marble rye with pierogies and hot mustard a Cleveland staple. They came in handy, and the Steelers dominated the third quarter.

My stat of the week:  .000 winning percentage Mike Tomlin’s winning percentage for Thursday AFC North away games. It is an alarming statistic. The Steelers have struggled in these games, the schedule makers did them no favors by having a Thursday away game after a battle against the Ravens. After years of dominance the Steelers have now lost five of six games at Huntington Bank Field.

My thoughts on next week: The Steelers will have just over a week to prepare for the Bengals, who play well enough to lose every week. This is a must win otherwise the press and fans will start to believe this season was a fluke to start.

Jersey of the Week:  Ernie Stautner, #70 Home Black, the godfather of Steeler toughness and the first Steeler to have his number retired.

The Steelers held off the Baltimore Ravens to win 18-16 and take sole possession of 1st place.

When you talk NFL rivalries, the Steelers v. Ravens is always in the conversation. It is defined by hard hitting and timely defense and Sunday’s game held up that standard. The Steelers won the turnover battle and kept the Ravens offensive fire power in check to earn a hard fought 18-16 victory in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

The Steelers front seven led the defensive efforts. They were exceptional in limiting Derrick Henry, the number two leading rusher. Henry was held to just 65 yards on 13 carries. Larry Ogunjobi recorded five tackles, contributing to the overall defensive effort. Cam Heyward chipped in four tackles and two pass breakups, demonstrating his durability and impact on the game. It was a very good day for Dean Lowry who had his first sack of the season.

The linebackers had a dominant performance, creating three turnovers that sunk the Ravens. Nick Herbig, Patrick Queen, and Payton Wilson were the standout performers, each contributing to the team’s success with their impactful plays.

Herbig, forced a fumble from Derrick Henry on the first drive of the game, marking Henry’s first fumble in 538 touches. Queen, who was playing with a chip on his shoulder had a game changing strip of Isaiah Likely late in the first half, leading to a Steelers field goal and a 9-7 halftime lead. Wilson, made a crucial interception with 8:14 remaining in the game, thwarting the Ravens’ potential game-winning drive. T.J. Watt also played a significant role, adding a sack and three tackles to the Steelers’ defensive effort.

The Steelers’ secondary severely limited the Baltimore passing game, with Minkah Fitzpatrick leading the way with seven tackles and DeShon Elliott recovering a fumble.

Joey Porter Jr.’s pressure on Lamar Jackson during the crucial two-point conversion attempt proved to be a game-changing play, preventing the Ravens from tying the game and sending it into overtime. His strong defensive performance, including two passes defended and he did not allow a catch.

The defense effectively limited Lamar Jackson and the high-powered Ravens offense, holding them to just 207 passing yards and a low quarterback rating.

What else can you say about Chris Boswell, who was the difference in the game. Boswell accounted for all the Steelers points, kicking six field goals on the day. The second time he has done that this season. Three of the six were 50-plus yards. He’s now 29 for 30 on the season, with his lone miss coming from 62 yards.

Najee Harris ground out 63 yards bruising yards on 18 carries, the most important yard coming on 3rd-and-1 with 54 seconds left to ice the game. Jaylen Warren chipped in 41 yards on nine carries. Justin Fields came in and ran twice for 17 yards, with a gaffe of missing the first down mark that would have ended the game.

Russell Wilson battled and finished the game with 23-36 for 205 yards passing with no touchdowns. It was an uneven performance, but it was good enough to get the job done. George Pickens led the team in yards 89 and catches 8. Darnell Washington is starting to be a threat in the passing game, he contributed with 42 yards.

The coaches had a good game plan and executed it, leaving the Steelers atop the AFC North. It is a short turnaround as the Steelers head to Cleveland on Thursday night.

BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.

My “GAME BEER” goes to: A lot of people for consideration, but going with the difference maker in the game, that is “Little Bos” Chris Boswell, who accounted for all the Steelers points. Also Considered: Payton Wilson for a KEY interception, Patrick Queen, who is getting better every week and was able to stuff his old team, forcing a key fumble. The defensive line as a unit. Joey Porter Jr. who didn’t give up a catch and decked Lamar Jackson on the two-point conversion.

Beer of the Game: I went with Modello, advertising played a role as I was originally planning on going with Smithwicks, but the commercial inspired me and yes we had the beer on hand! KGB stayed with Flannel Fest from Sam Adams and finished the game with Yuengling Lager, both had a sugar rim.

“Steel the Snacks”: KGB went with Maryland style crab cakes and homemade chipotle mayo and honey mustard. What else would you choose? It was a dominant performance for the snacks as the game changed when they came out.

My Stat of the week:  So many to choose from but must go with the obvious one, the Ravens came in averaging 32 points a game. They scored 16 points on the day, that is a mine blowing stat. The national media felt like this was the week the Steelers would finally get exposed, it clearly didn’t happen. Consider the Steelers have won eight of the last nine vs. the Ravens, even if you do not count the pandemic year, which I wouldn’t, it has been a great run in the rivalry. All the games are competitive.

My Thoughts on next week: As in THIS week, like Thursday night. The Browns would love to knock off the Steelers and playing a short week after playing the Ravens is a pretty rough way for the schedule makers to jam up the Steelers. Records aside this is a grudge match.

Jersey of the Week:  T.J. Watt, #90 Home Black, was trying to help T.J. bust out after a “slump”.

The Steelers made key mistakes, blew a lead then fell behind by two scores and still found a way to comeback and pull out the victory edging Washington 28-27.

People questioned the move to Russell Wilson, but it is becoming clear why he is playing. After a sluggish start, Russell Wilson turned the tide with a dramatic 32-yard TD pass to Mike Williams, capping a late-game comeback. Despite early struggles and several miscues, Wilson’s clutch playmaking and red-zone efficiency ultimately secured the win. His stat line was his worst of the season, he finished the game 14-28 with a 195-yards, three touchdowns and an interception. His biggest play of the day though, might be drawing Washington offsides on the last play to seal the game.

Jaylen Warren led the Steelers’ rushing attack with 66 yards, but a questionable fumble near the goal line threatened to cost them the game. Najee Harris, 100-yard game streak, struggled to find his rhythm. He did manage a 53-yard TD run to bring the Steelers within three points. Cordarrelle Patterson returned to action after an injury, contributing 14 yards on three carries.

Mike Williams made his one play count, with a game winning touchdown, less than a week after being acquired. He came in after Calvin Austin III was injured. George Pickens contributed with five catches and 91 yards, including an outstanding touchdown catch.

Cam Heyward stepped up with two big sacks. The defensive line, which struggled against the Giants, limited the Commanders to just 60 rushing yards and held super rookie Jayden Daniels in check all-day. Keeanu Benton made a crucial tackle for loss on a late quarterback run, and Larry Ogunjobi contributed with three tackles and a holding penalty drawn. T.J. Watt had a quiet day on the stat sheet, but he should have been credited with a safety after he was held in the endzone. Watt had two quarterback hits and Alex Highsmith had one on the play when he injured his ankle. Preston Smith, in his first game with the Steelers, had three tackles and a very big sack.

James Pierre dropped a huge special teams pass early in the game and was pressed into service on defense after Donta Jackson went down with an injury. He was continually targeted late in the game. He came up with a big pass breakup on Washington’s final drive. Damontae Kazee made the biggest tackle of the day stopping Zach Ertz short on fourth down.

The coaching staff had several questionable calls, but at the end of the day, the game plan was solid if not executed well. They clearly wanted to limit the Commanders running game and did that. The special teams splash play would have been legendary if Pierre executed. As Coach Tomlin often says, there is a fine line between making wine and squashing grapes. They almost were squashing grapes, but in the end made the plays they needed to win the game.

BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Cam “Steelhead” Heyward, our leader and one of the greatest Steelers of all time. He chipped in two sacks and led the stifling of the Washington ground game. He also led the charge slowing down Jayden Daniels who was largely ineffective. Also Considered: Mike Williams for his first catch with the Steelers, a touchdown. George Pickens who had five catches and a touchdown.

Beer of the Game: This is tricky, so I started with Harp, one of my favorite beers and then switched back to Miller Lite when the Steelers were trailing by two scores. KGB went with Sam Adams Flannel Fest, she garnished with the cinnamon and the sugar rim.

“Steel the Snacks”: KGB went with Washington Apple, Grilled cheese sandwiches. Turkey, Cheddar and Apple with honey mustard and Muenster Apple and honey mustard.

My Stat of the week:  Cam Heyward playing 203^rd game, that is the most in Pittsburgh Steelers franchise history for a defensive player. He has been the very definition of a Steeler! Also Considered: The Steelers gave up 10 points in the third quarter, that is the first point allowed in the third quarter all season.

My Thoughts on next week: Raven’s Week! Clash of the titans as the Steelers battle the Ravens in Pittsburgh. Look for a physical bloodbath next week. As Coach Tomlin says, “Mr. Jackson is coming to town.”

Jersey of the Week:  Franco Harris, #32 Salute to Service, in honor of Veterans Day weekend. I also wore my Franco’s Italian Army long sleeve shirt.