NFL Tuesday morning recap - Steelers

I only caught brief highlights and snippets of the other games. Saturday, I sat in three meetings from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, I was writing, editing, and following up on things from those meetings. 

As for the Steelers...

I had to give myself a recovery day before I could sit down and try to analyze that playoff game. Several words come to mind right off the bat: debacle, horrendous, painful, and gut-wrenching. From the first play of the game, the Steelers were--what my Steelers buddy referred to as "a shit-show." It was tough to watch. This team is done, in more ways than one due to free agency, contract timelines, retirement, etc., and winning that seventh ring will have to wait until next season.

Steelers:

• The Browns were missing coaches and players to COVID and injuries to start off the playoffs. While I said the Steelers at 11-0 were the worst undefeated team ever, I truly thought we'd play well enough to beat Cleveland.
• The first play of the game--wait, that is so INSANE I have to type it again--On the first play of the game, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey sailed the snap so high it flew over Ben Roethlisberger's head, where it rolled into the end zone, recovered by the Browns for a touchdown. While that was ridiculous in itself, what was even worse was the lack of urgency in recovering that errant ball. Roethlisberger and Steelers running back James Connor--because of course the first play would be a run--were the two closest to the ball, and both of them seemed to be looking to the other to get it. Roethlisberger acted like he couldn't bend over, and Connor literally slid right past the ball. My heart sunk, and I knew it was going to be a long, damn game.
• I mean, FALL ON TOP OF IT! I never understand players trying to pick up a fumbled ball when a crowd is descending. Aren't the chances better to fall on the damn leather? I've watched the replay of play number one so many times my stomach hurts because we should've had it for a loss of yards.
• The Steelers did nothing to shake off that play, settle down, and even the score. Instead, Roethlisberger threw the first of what would be four interceptions in the game. The Browns took advantage, and within five minutes, the score was 14-0.
• The NFL's number one defense in almost every category obviously didn't eat their Wheaties. They were lackluster, unmotivated, and plain awful. Gone is the sack streak--they never got close to Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield--and the Browns running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt ran through the Steelers defense like water through a broken dam.
• Using fullback Derek Watt on a third and one was genius. Using him for the same play on a fourth and one? Stupid. The Steelers were stuffed, leaving the Browns with great field advantage.
• I think the future of the NFL lies in quarterbacks who can run. Need I say more, Ben Roethlisberger?
• Yep, once again with the penalties.
• Trailing 35-23, Tomlin opted to punt instead of go for it on fourth and one near midfield. What? I'm not an NFL coach, but you have a two-ton, six-five quarterback who has, on several occasions, plugged a ball one yard inside a mass of bodies. Ben was in Ben-comeback-mode, slinging and firing. Why not give him a chance over a struggling defense? Ack! That pretty much sealed the deal for the guys. I mean, if you're coach doesn't have faith...
• Fans are calling for Mike Tomlin's head, but that isn't how the Rooney's do things. The bottom line is Ben needs to walk away before his $41 million salary cap digs a bigger hole. I don't think his heart is in the game anymore, and his leadership isn't getting the job done. We can blame injuries, COVID, rescheduling, bad luck, and resting players, but this loss--hell, the last five games--were not Steelers football. I'm a believer in rooting for the elderly and keeping teams intact, but after the five-plus years and drama we've had in the last five-plus years? It's time the Steelers rehaul, revamp, and rebuild.

Other:

• The most impressive performance of the weekend for me was Washington's back-up quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who was making only his second start in the NFL. Only recently added to the team in December, Heinicke started in place of Alex Smith and gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a game. Finishing 26-44 for 306 yards with 46 yards in rushing, Heinicke played the second half with a separated shoulder. His grit and play reminded me of the Lions Matthew Stafford.
• Didn't see the Seattle game until it was almost in the bag, but I'd say quarterback Russell Wilsons five sacks might've had something to do with his poor play.
• The closest game was the Colts/Bills game, and while old man Rivers (that's Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers to non-football readers) attempted a hail mary to give ESPN a newsreel and the Colts the win, but like so many of Rivers' past nailbiters, it wasn't meant to be.