Steelers/NFL
Did Steelers fail themselves with QB Decision?
The burning question coming out of the Steelers 21-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens is did the Steelers make a mistake starting Ben Roethlisberger.
Never thought I’d see the day where there’s an argument to be made that Landry Jones would have given the Steelers a better chance.
The takeaway out of this one is that if your quarterback can’t follow through on his throws due to an injured knee, he shouldn’t be playing even if medically cleared, which was the case for Ben Roethlisberger on almost every throw until the final couple drives in the fourth quarter.
The tape did the explaining.
Roethlisberger was clearly unable to set his feet to follow through on throws in what an abysmal afternoon offensively for 12 of 15 drives.
He also looked like a quarterback for much of the game who was missing his reads because of fear of being hit.
The Steelers first 12 drives they managed 76 yards. They were 0-10 on their first 10 third down tries.
3 Plays, 3 Yards – Punt
3 Plays, 5 Yards – Punt
5 Plays, 21 Yards – Punt
3 Plays, 16 Yards – Punt
3 Plays -8 Yards – Punt
3 Plays, 8 Yards – Punt
3 Plays, 3 Yards – Punt
1 Play, -1 Yard – End of Half
3 Plays, 5 Yards – Punt
1 Play, 0 Yards – Interception
3 Plays, -2 Yards – Punt
3 Plays, 2 Yards – Blocked
The Steelers 13th drive finally resulted in a 9 play, 75 Yard Touchdown drive with a Roethlisberger 23 yard TD pass to Antonio Brown on 4th and 3.
They managed 14 points and a combined 202 yards against the Ravens prevent defense on drives 13-15 to end the game.
The life Roethlisberger showed on the final three drives and shouldn’t change how he and the offense looked on the first 12 drives of the game. He should have never been out there.
This was the 8th regular season game of the season, not a playoff game or a do or die game to get in.
Was playing Roethlisberger at 60-70% worth it?
With his age, at somepoint the priority has to be to keep him off the field until he’s close to 100%.
How can anyone say he was close to even 80%.
Mike Tomlin said afterwards he never considered putting Landry Jones in.
That’s more of an indictment on Jones than anything.
Roethlisberger after the game said the Steelers are who they are with a 4-4 record.
The inability to win on the road and this team not being a disciplined, fundamentally sound team is what you see out of 9-7, 8-8 teams, not Super Bowl contenders like so many in media have pegged the Steelers being.
The Steelers are now in the midst of a three game losing streak and the last three times the Steelers lost three in a row in a season, they finished 9-7 (09), 8-8 (12) and 8-8 (13)
One positive, though, 9-7 or 8-8 might win the division and Pittsburgh is likely still the best team in the division, despite the three game losing streak and the Dallas Cowboys coming to town where falling to 4-5 is a strong possibility.
Related posts:
Steelers – Ravens Week: Tomlin Presser Notes as Steelers begin preparations for showdown
Steelers – Ravens Fallout: Leftwich teased, made uncharacteristic mistakes for a veteran but also didn’t get enough help
Steelers – Ravens Fallout: James Harrison showing signs of returning to form is critical to Steelers becoming serious contender in AFC
Second Guessing? Tomlin and Haley with dud coaching performances in loss to Ravens
