Steelers/NFL
RAVENS 23 – STEELERS 20
Pittsburgh’s 23-20 overtime loss was a game the Steelers gave the Baltimore Ravens from squandered opportunities to questionable play calling at critical moments.
Two Josh Scobee missed field goals in the fourth quarter haunted the Steelers in the Ravens being able to force overtime and then the Steelers not trusting Scobee in overtime.
Le’Veon Bell gashed the Ravens for 129 yards on the ground, averaging 5.9 yards per carry, yet, the Steelers took the ball out of his hands in overtime when they needed a first down.
In four combined third down/fourth down situations, Bell touched the ball just once, and two failed fourth down conversions saw Mike Tomlin and Todd Haley put the ball in Mike Vick’s arm and legs.
On the Steelers first possession of overtime they were faced with a 4th and 2 from the 39 yard line and the ego maniac Todd Haley that he is, looked to become the story by getting cute and running a designed Mike Vick run that was squashed immediately by the Ravens.
On the failed 4th and 2 play, Bell wasn’t even in the backfield.
This after a 3rd and 2 the play before where instead of going to Bell, who two plays earlier went for 22 yards, the ball was put in Vick’s hands who threw incomplete to Brown on third down.
After Pittsburgh’s defense forced a three and out, the Steelers offense was in the same situation, a 3rd and 2 in Ravens territory.
A short throw to Le’Veon Bell gained a yard, setting up a 4th and 1 from the Ravens 33 yard line.
In what would have been a 50 yard field goal, Mike Tomlin made the right decision in not trusting Scobee to make the kick but where Tomlin and Haley deserve criticism is putting the ball in Vick’s left arm again when Vick’s biggest weakness is his lack of accuracy and from the 4th quarter on, Vick was struggling at setting his feet with balls being thrown high.
That was the case on the 4th and 1 play and not to mention a backside throw for a lefty quarterback [hide] as Antonio Brown ran an excellent route on a short out and Vick never squared his feet and threw an inaccurate ball to Brown where the star receiver couldn’t make a play on it.
It was also not a very easy throw for a lefty quarterback and that falls on the shoulders of the staff.
“When you lose, you’re open to criticism and we lost,” Mike Tomlin said. “I will take responsibility for it.”
Vick was 19/26 for 124 yards with a touchdown pass and 33 rushing yards in the loss.
“Came down to one final play for me and I didn’t convert,” Vick said.
Antonio Brown’s 5-for-50 streak came to an end as Brown finished with 5 catches for 42 yards and had just 25 yards receiving after four quarters. The receiver was frustrated at times on the sidelines.
After the game Vick said he has to get Heath Miller more involved.
“[Need] to get Heath Miller involved in the game plan,” Vick said as the veteran tight end had just one catch for one yard.
“We can find a way. We’re going to search hard for what answers are.”
[/hide]
Related posts:
Steelers – Ravens Fallout: On QB Decision & another 9-7, 8-8 Tomlin coached team?
DePaoli: Todd Haley should get to the bye week to get this offense on track or be showed the door by Tomlin
Mike Tomlin declines multiple times to endorse Todd Haley
Tomlin, Haley open themselves up for criticism if Ben struggles vs Chiefs
