Sorry everyone for taking so long to post this week, the Steelers dropped a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night, leaving the playoffs, once again, in serious jeopardy. It was a hard fought game with several questionable calls that in the end the Steelers couldn’t overcome. The tempo of the game was strange as the Steelers and Ravens basically moved the ball at will on each other but had trouble putting the ball in the end zone.
The defense had an awful game, they played well up front, but the secondary got burned all day and in the end the Ravens scored on all but two drives. There were several blown coverages, a pass play of 50+ yards AGAIN, and costly penalties. Ike Taylor had another rough first half before settling down and keeping Torrey Smith in check. Troy Polomalu and Will Allen both blew assignments that cost the Steelers big. The front seven played well, with Jason Worilds having another big day and Lawrence Timmons really “laid the wood” to Ray Rice on several plays. No one is talking about Ziggy Hood, but he had a great game and filled in admirably for the injured Brett Keisel. The Ravens couldn’t find running room all day.
The offense didn’t score in the first half but moved the ball well. The Offensive line had a very good day again. They were able to create running lanes and for the third week in a row Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t sacked. Kelvin Beachum had a great game before he was injured and with some help basically shutout Terrell Suggs. Big Ben kept the Steelers in the game all game, he led a comeback from deficits of 13-0 and 16-7. Roethlisberger was 8 of 11 for 94 yards on the final scoring drive and finished with 257 yards passing. It was a great game and he deserved to pull it out. Le’Veon Bell continues his development and really is starting to look like the back we have been waiting for. Unfortunately he had his bell rung pretty seriously and most likely will be out next week.
Manny Sanders is going to get the goat horns this week for dropping the two point conversion to tie the game. But Chykie Brown absolutely mugged him on the play and listening to this guy talk this week is killing me. The play was clearly a penalty and at worst the Steelers should have had another shot at it. Sanders should have caught it but he has played great all season and doesn’t deserve the heat he is taking.
The special teams had two HUGE game costing meltdowns, one of which will most likely cause Mike Tomlin to be a few bucks poorer. The first was Shaun Suisham and Mat McBriar had some sort of miscommunication and it cost the Steelers a field goal chance, which would prove the difference in the score. The second was much more damaging however, Jacoby Jones busted loose on a kick return and nearly ran Mike Tomlin down as he was watching it on the screen. It honestly looked like a mistake and it didn’t look like it had much of an impact. Jones even said so directly after the game, making a comment about Cortez Allen catching him from behind. But then the media got involved and this story took a life of it’s own. Several people are calling for a mega fine and some even called for Tomlin’s firing.
I find it hard to believe he tried to impede Jones and I think Chris Colinsworth clearly made this a story. Not to mention why wouldn’t Jones RUN HIM OVER if he was in the way. The true story is at the end of the day Tomlin shouldn’t have been on the field. It looked like his brain vapor locked and he moved just in time. He will certainly be fined for the situation. But keep an eye on how bad this story becomes.
The true loss however is that the offensive line after being dreadful all season has finally come together…just in time to lose Fernando Velasco, who probably cost himself a very nice contract next season somewhere, is done for the year. Kelvin Beachum and Mike Adams were both injured and the Steelers are now once again scrambling up front.
We look to be on our last legs here as the Steelers will continue to fight on.
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Big Ben Roethlisberger, he played a great game and deserved a better outcome. Also Considered, Kelvin Beachum and Ziggy Hood.
Where I watched the game: Back at the house after a ridiculous Thanksgiving dinner with my family at my parent’s house. The Beer of choice was Iron City Light Pounders which I brought back from the ‘Burgh, KGB and Little Miss Tailgate went to Midnight Madness shopping. So I watched with my buddy Matt as we basked in the glory of winning Turkey Bowl! That was my first win in three years!
My Stat of the week: 1 tackle, that is what big mouth Terrell Suggs had the entire game, the Steelers shut him out! For those keeping score at home, the Steelers shutout Mario Williams, Ndamukong Suh and Terrell Suggs
My thoughts on Next Week: It is going to be the last 1PM game and the Dolphins are almost as desperate right now as the Steelers. The offensive line woes makes this a wild card for both teams. Mike Wallace will hear the boo birds in Pittsburgh. EVERY GAME NOW IS THE PLAYOFFS.