The Steelers formula didn’t pan out this time, as they dropped a tough lost to the Dallas Cowboys 20-17.
The formula for Steelers victory in 2024 is a familiar one, do not make mistakes on offense, score what you need, then play stifling defense to hold off your opponent. Sunday, the formula was almost complete, until about 20 seconds left in the game, when the Steelers defense couldn’t keep the Dallas Cowboys out of the end zone.
It was a strange game marred by a one hour plus weather delay. The Steelers had several missed opportunities and in the end it sent them to 3-2. Three turnovers and a blocked field goal…and still lost.
The calls for Russell Wilson will be loud this week. Justin Fields had a good game, but made several key mistakes that cost the Steelers, he missed wide open targets and continued his trend with slow starts. He missed a wide-open Connor Heyward on a perfectly designed play action pass, he also misfired to Darnell “Mt.” Washington’s head by the end zone. He missed a wide-open George Pickens on a crucial third down. He finished 15-27 for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Najee Harris, started strong, then the Cowboys keyed in on him and shut the running game down. Fields designed run plays worked out well. George Pickens was only a factor in the penalty column.
The defense was okay but began to wear down during the stretch. It was no secret that the pass rush, already operating without Alex Highsmith, was all but extinct by the fourth quarter when Nick Herbig left with what looked like a hamstring injury and DeMarvin Leal left with a stinger after being cheap shotted.
The secondary is going to get roasted again this week, because despite some quality plays. They did have two interceptions including a red zone pick off by Donte Jackson. But they bent to often and gave up four completions of 25 yards or more. They couldn’t find one more big play to seal the victory.
The special teams were emblematic of the entire game. Several exciting plays, but so many crucial mistakes. Isaiahh Lowdermilk, had a blocked field goal. Chris Boswell and Corlis Waitman did well in the kicking. But the return game is nonexistent and the coverage units were embarrassing, including a 38 yard return to start the game.
Coaching was problematic. How many more weeks can you start off so slow. The fact that once again the Steelers mangled the fourth quarter clock is tough to swallow. Imagine if they had the last timeout that they burned setting their defense for Dallas’s fourth down try? The timeout killed any chance of a comeback and let Dallas make a fresh substitution on offense.
If football is a game of inches, the Steelers missing so many key inches has left them 3-2.
BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Going with Cam Heyward, he had a very big game and at times he seemed like he was out there all alone. Also Considered: Elandon Roberts who almost saved the game, T.J. Watt who got the 100th sack of his career, before he was hurt Nick Herbig was having a big game.
Beer of the Game: We were at Acrisure stadium, so we had a combination of Miller Lite and IC Lite. Both staples of my Pittsburgh Game Day. KGB had a Sam Adams that some jag knocked over in his 20 trips to the bathroom.
“Steel the Snacks”: This week should be titled “Steel Snacks”, we had Suneri Atomic Rolls at the Terrible Bra Tailgate. A Pittsburgh Must! Got to catch up with all our peops, including the BWG Founders!
My Stat of the week: Obviously 100 Sacks for T.J. he was the second fastest to get there behind only Reggie White. He gets double teamed and held on almost every series. I am now 1-2 vs The Cowboys all-time. This is my second straight last second loss to the ‘Boys. UGGGH
My Thoughts on next week: Steelers will head to Las Vegas for a game against the rival Raiders. There is so much tradition between these two. It will seem like a Steelers home game!
Jersey of the Week: My gamer, “Mean” Joe Greene, Home #75, this is my go to jersey for games, in my entire “career” of seeing the Steelers, I have only worn two others, Hines Ward and an L.C. Greenwood (Throwback) the weekend he passed.