In a game that summed up the entire season, the Steelers dropped a close one to the Bengals Sunday. It was a typical Steelers loss this season, where the Steelers failed to execute in key situations and left the Bengals in the game long enough for them to snatch it. (*See the Raiders game report, the Titans game report and the Cowboys game report.)
The Steelers were eliminated from playoff contention because of their inability to find ways to win close games. In games that were decided by three points or fewer, the Steelers were 3-5, in games that were decided by a touchdown or less they were 5-7. If you look back, the Steelers always grabbed those games with big plays when needed. Not this year.
“Big” Ben Roethlisberger is going to take the blame on this one, as once again he turned the ball over in two very big spots. He simply hasn’t been the same since the injury.
Roethlisberger had been as clutch as anyone on the team in previous seasons, but he came up short in a lot of crucial situations this season. But Roethlisberger’s turnovers don’t tell the whole story, because the Steelers had plenty of opportunity to pick him up and win this one. They just didn’t execute.
The offense played its worst game of the season and the Steelers struggled to run the ball in this one. Todd Haley, who has been the media’s whipping boy, will somehow take the blame on this one. They certainly emphasized the running game, but just didn’t get it done. The Steelers ran the ball 31 times but only managed 80+ yards. Geno Atkins hammered Dave DeCastro and Ramon Foster; he planted Big Ben on several series. Except for a great catch and run by Antonio Brown, the receivers were a non-factor in the game.
The Defense played its most complete game of the season, swallowing up the Bengals running game and creating six sacks and three turnovers. They didn’t allow an offensive touchdown. The secondary, which was missing Ike Taylor and had a one legged Keenan Lewis, put together a solid but ultimately losing effort.
Of course it wouldn’t be a Steelers game in 2012 without a crippling injury. Heath Miller was the latest casualty, going down with a knee injury and it ending what was a magnificent season for Miller! He finished with over 800 yards and had eight big TD’s. He should be the team’s MVP.
Whether it was an injury, a fumble in a key spot, an interception late in the game, a missed field goal, a bad snap, or a crucial penalty, the Steelers just didn’t execute all the way through this season and now find themselves set to play a meaningless game for the first time since 2006.
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel who played great games. Hampton was a force this week and Keisel played a terrific game. They bottled up the Bengal’s running game. Also Considered: Silverback, had one sack, and Larry Foote, posted seven tackles, Troy Polamalu looked like vintage Troy.
Where I watched the game: Buffalo Wild Wings in Deer Park NY, KGB took me out for “lunch” and the Steelers crowd was great there.
My Stat of the week: AJ Green caught 10 passes for 116 Yards and caught the biggest catch of the game. With Ike Taylor in the lineup he had ONE catch for eight yards when they met previously!
My thoughts on Next Week: This is now a meaningless game, the Steelers will play their final regular-season game knowing it will end there. I would like to see a strong effort and a five hundred finish. Some guys will be playing for their jobs and other guys will be playing for pride. It would be catastrophic if the Steelers were swept by the Browns.