It was a complete and total breakdown in all facets of football ending a very promising and somewhat successful season in a wreck. The Cleveland Browns got off to a fast start and kept the Steelers at bay, making whatever play they needed, when they needed it. They never were really in the game and now face an uncertainty of what will probably be the most difficult offseason in the Tomlin Era.
Despite setting a record and throwing for just over 500 yards Ben Roethlisberger’s faded season was on full display. It seemed that he ran out of gas in mid-November and last night was the culmination of everyone’s fears. He threw two first quarter picks that led to 14 Browns points and the Steelers never really recovered. He battled back but then would turn the ball over in a crucial scenario. Roethlisberger threw a whopping 68 times finished with four touchdowns but four key interceptions that turned the Steelers fortunes.
The offensive line had solid protection considering Roethlisberger didn’t hit the deck and passed 68 times, but a Maurkice Pouncey errant snap to start the game was a terrible omen and the fact that late in the game Coach Tomlin opted to punt instead of going for a fourth and 1 is pretty telling about how far this croup has fallen since the departure of Mike Munchack. The Steelers actually found room to run, but the score made it nearly impossible to use any sort of running game.
JuJu Smith-Schuster put up big numbers leading the team with 13 catches and 157 yards, but his pregame comments that were taken way out of context were a huge distraction all week. This most likely was Smith-Schuster’s last game as a Steeler. Diontae Johnson again made key mistakes despite having a gaudy stat line. James Washington did a good job when called upon.
The defense was out of synch the entire night and never could get the needed key stop or key turnover. The Browns found plenty of running room and Robert Spillane was flat run over by Kareem Hunt on a touchdown. The Browns banged out 127 yards and never seemed to be in real danger with running the ball.
The tackling all night was atrocious and several missed tackles led to the Browns making small gains into huge gains including a huge backbreaking touchdown at the end of the first half.
Special teams finished their 2020 campaign with several glaring mistakes. Chris Boswell had a tough night on kickoffs and the coverage units played so poorly that they all but cost the Steelers a late first half touchdown. Jordan Berry when called upon to pin down the Browns late in the fourth quarter boomed it into the end zone for a touchback. That play is going to get Mike Tomlin bbq in the press this week.
The coaching staff had a horrible night on several fronts. How the Steelers could come out so flat is inconceivable after missing the playoffs the last few years. There was a serious disconnect with the two-point conversion and a complete lack of imagination on plays. Not going for it late in the game down by 13 with one yard to go confirmed that the game had gotten away from the Steelers and they were in trouble.
It is going to be a long offseason and the Steelers are about to enter a period of endless winter with several personnel changes coming.
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: No one, it was a horrible performance in all facets of football. Was going to go with JuJu Smith-Schuster but honestly he was such a distraction all week, not all of which was his fault, but come on.
Where I watched the game: At the house and we had to rescue Dante from Playoff Purgatory on a school night. The Snack was Cheeseburger Subs prior to the game. Cheeseburgers on Italian bread cooked perfectly and well put together with lettuce tomato onions and something called burger sauce. Going to eat the leftovers while I write this. The beer was Iron City for the playoffs. I texted with my buddy Bill and the Janick through most of the game.
My Stat of the week: Unfortunately has to be 28 Points in the first quarter. It was the most points ever scored in a first quarter of a post season game and that record belongs to the Browns against the Steelers, something we will have to live with for a very long time.
My Thoughts on next week: Going to be a very long and challenging offseason. This has the makings of a rip down and despite going 12-4 this team will be broken up pretty significantly.
This week’s Jersey: Joe Greene, 75, Black Home (1970’s addition) This is my gamer which obviously didn’t get used this season.