It was a horrible day for the defense in the friendly confines of Heinz Field yesterday, as they were torched for 42 points by Chiefs Rookie QB Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes threw for six TDs. The defense had no answers, getting very little pressure and being unable to put together any sort of coverage package.
It was a rough game from the start, as the Steelers quickly fell behind 21 points. They had no plan to stop Travis Kelce and Mahomes did a great job spreading the ball around. In the last five quarters the defense has allowed 56 points!
The special teams was once again a disaster. The Steelers went quickly down by seven in the first quarter because the special teams fell asleep on DeAnthony Thomas’ 53-Yard return on the first punt of the game. Little Bos missed back to back field goals for the first time in his career as a Steelers and he missed an extra point as well. Of course the Steelers ended the game on a roughing the punter penalty by Tyler Matakevitch. Ryan Switzer is the lone bright spot on this unit.
Ben Roethlisberger had a monster day. The offense put up 37 points and Roethlisberger passed for 452 yards, three touchdowns and gutted out another touchdown on the ground, in the waning moments of the fourth quarter. The protection was okay, the running game was non-existent since the Steelers were down so much so early.
JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jesse James both had big games, Antonio Brown contributed nine catches for 67 yards, but had some sort of sideline melt down, which was never fully explained.
While the defense is terrible, the loss belongs on the coaching staff. The Steelers have looked unprepared in the first two games and seems to lack discipline. They also mangled the clock on the last series after getting a key turnover and had no plan to get the ball back.
In the end the Steelers are still in search of their first victory in 2018.
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Ben Roethlisberger, who kept the Steelers in the game. He gutted out a tremendous performance. Others Considered: NO ONE.
Where I watched the game: At the house with the Tailgate Kids. The beer of choice was IC Light and Corona Light. We had Pepperoni Bread and Meatball sliders, dinner was Sausage and Kale soup, which was terrific.
My Stat of the week: 79 Points scored in the past two homes games…both losses. Something has to be done to fix the defense and come up with a plan that actually works.
My Thoughts on next week: The Steelers need a big win against a surging Tampa Team on Prime Time Monday Night Football
This week’s Jersey: Steelers Alejandro Villanueva #78 Color Rush Jersey. In honor of last Monday being 9/11 felt it appropriate.