What looked like a promising game at times, turned into a nightmare with defensive lapses, offensive mistakes and mental errors on special teams that cost the Steelers the home opener, losing to the Seattle Seahawks 31-17. It’s the first time the Steelers have allowed 30-plus points in back-to-back games in the Tomlin era, and first time since the disastrous beginning of the 1989 season, highlighting the dramatic need for improvement.
The defense, a unit Mike Tomlin predicted would be one of his best, has been challenged for the second week in a row and came up very short. After two games, it’s clear this group is still finding its footing, and battling injuries. He showed a degree of trust in the defense, punting on 4th-and-1 to force the Seahawks to drive the length of the field. Seattle of course scored, it was a decision that signaled he is still confident in the defense’s ability to respond to a challenge, despite very little evidence they are up for it.
The defensive line is facing a difficult stretch battling injury. While Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin have publicly backed Keeanu Benton at nose tackle, he is still being pushed off the line of scrimmage and is better suited for an end position. After giving up 182 rushing yards last week, the defense allowed another 118 yards on the ground to the Seahawks. This marks the 11th time in the last 21 games an opponent has rushed for over 100 yards against the Steelers, these are stats that would have been unimaginable over the last few years.
Kenneth Walker III dominated, rushing for 105 yards on the day. Cam Heyward fought hard, making five tackles and a pass breakup that led to a Nick Herbig interception. But overall, the lack of a consistent pass rush, especially from the interior, left Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold with ample time to find his receivers.
Patrick Queen was active early in the run game, but a missed sack on Darnold proved costly, allowing the Seahawks to convert on a key third down. Payton Wilson led the team with nine tackles and a sack, but the linebackers struggled with pass coverage, particularly against play-action. Queen battled an injury all day and Wilson was pushed off the ball and sent to the sidelines at one point.
What has happened to T.J. Watt? He is in an uncharacteristic six-game stretch without a sack. While Herbig had a promising performance in relief of an injured Alex Highsmith, the Steelers need their top players—including Watt, Queen, and Highsmith—to consistently make game-changing plays.
In the secondary, Jalen Ramsey was targeted on some big plays but also showed his elite ability with six tackles and two pass breakups. He is not the problem. The secondary struggled to maintain tight coverage, especially against Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had 103 receiving yards. A better pass rush would help, but the coverage must tighten up.
Last week special teams saved the day, this week they gave it back, by a mental error from Kaleb Johnson, which led to seven points for the Seahawks, putting the Steelers down by two scores. While this was a major moment in the game, the special teams unit overall has struggled in kick coverage. The issues were less apparent last week when Chris Boswell’s 60-yard kick stole the show, but this week, the Seahawks’ 22-yard punt return and an average of 27 yards on five kickoff returns were a cause for concern, providing the Seahawks with prime field position for much of the game. Corlis Waitman had a nice performance, but it was lost on the coverage issues.
Aaron Rodgers was unable to get much help from his teammates early. A perfect 40-yard pass to Pat Freiermuth was dropped, and DK Metcalf had two costly drops in the first half. Rodgers finished 18 for 33 with two interceptions, though one came on a deflection that was caused by Calvin Austin and the other in garbage time. The offensive line is porous at best and can be a major issue with a 40+ non-mobile quarterback at the helm.
Jaylen Warren was a bright spot, gaining 134 yards from scrimmage, including a highlight-reel 65-yard catch-and-run. He led the team in both rushing (48 yards) and receiving (86 yards). Despite his performance, there must be questions about his durability. The team’s lack of a physical back is painfully apparent, as the Steelers opted to pass and run with Gainwell.
DK Metcalf had a quiet day against his former team with only three catches for 30 yards. Calvin Austin III also had a quiet performance, with his one catch coming on a play that resulted in Rodgers’ first interception. The offensive line’s run-blocking improved slightly, but backs still averaged only 3.4 yards per carry. At this rate, the 41-year-old Rodgers is on pace to be sacked 60 times this season, which raises concerns about his longevity.
They have quite a few problems that they need to fix of this is going to be a lost season.
Beer We Go Steelers, Beer We Go!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Have to go with Jaylen Warren who put together a solid effort. Also Considered, Cam Heyward who played well despite those around him not. Jalen Ramsey is exciting to watch despite a mixed performance.
Beer of the Game: Narragansett, Jaws Addition, the beer is one of my favorites and left over from a Jaws Party we had over Labor Day.
“Steel the Snacks”: This week it became “Steel Snacks”, I don’t really like Sushi and there was nothing on the Seattle snack slate that jumped out at me. KGB made a Sunseri style Atomic Roll, something we always get in Pittsburgh and bring to the tailgate. They were off the charts.
My stat of the week: Twenty-Two games, that was how long the Seahawks had gone before scoring an opening drive touchdown in a game. They put the Steelers on their heels early and shreaded the defense. It looked for a short time that they had righted the ship, but it was short lived. That was such an ominous stat that didn’t bode well for the rest of the day.
My thoughts on next week: The Steelers head to their personal house of horrors in New England. They will face a Jekyll and Hyde Patriots team that looked horrible week one and then demo jobbed the Dolphins yesterday. Gone is Bill Belichik and in is former Steeler and New England standout Mike Vrabel. This is a must win game before Ireland.
Jersey of the Week: My vanity Jersey #50 Home Black, a gift for my fiftieth birthday from KGB.