The Steelers put together a mediocre performance to snatch a victory from an over matched Bengals team, but the playoffs are not in the picture as the Ravens held on to beat the Browns. Ironically, it was a stout fourth quarter defense and timely kicking that won the game for the Steelers…something missing all season.
The defense held Jeff Driskel and the Bengals to a measly 196 yards of total offense, with 70 plus yard coming on two plays from Joe Mixon. The Bengals never found any kind of groove and were completely out manned all game. The Steelers recorded four sacks and never gave up a pass longer than 15 yards. It was a good performance for the defense led by T.J. Watt who had a sack and a forced fumble and Cam Heyward who had two sacks!
Playing without Antonio Brown, the offense was off all day. James Conner returned to limited action and had 14 carries were 64 yards. He finished a solid season with 973 and 12 touchdowns. The running game never got going despite playing against the worst run defense in football.
Ben Roethlisberger passed for 287 yards and one touchdown. He never found his rhythm and had a pick six on what he thought was a free play. The offense was held to its fewest points of the season scoring only 13 against the worst defense in football. Eli Rogers had a nice game with seven catches and Jaylen Samuels chipped in with seven tough catches.
Matt McCrane, who signed on Friday, had three field goals including the game winner and was called “the top of a participation” trophy by Steve Tasker. He did a nice job given the circumstances.
Why the Steelers didn’t jump the Bengals off the bus, is going to be the conversation in the press this week. They played an uninspired game given what was on the line. Blowing a 2 ½ game lead with six to play is a complete embarrassment. Needing a Browns victory and the Ravens getting the necessary stop, is insult to injury.
It will be a long off season!
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Ben Roethlisberger who didn’t play a great game but finished with 5000 plus yards and 35 Touchdowns. Also considered: Matt McCrane who came off the couch to kick three field goals, Joe Haden who played a great game while his wife was in labor.
Where I watched the game: At the house with a fire and my new Steelers quilt! The beer of choice was Samuel Adams Winter Lager and we had left over six-foot hero from a party we had the night before. I had Chicken Cutlet with roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella and KGB had Italian.
My Stat of the week: Going with Ben Roethlisberger throwing for 5,129 yards the most in Steelers history and he is one of only seven people in NFL history to do it.
My Thoughts on next week: The Steelers will have to contemplate a long off season and think about how a Super Bowl contender got ousted in the regular season.
This week’s Jersey: Ju-Ju Smith-Schuster, #19 Golden Jersey. It might be one of my favorites now and was a gift from KGB