Steelers Week 18 Reaction

 Sigh. I feel like I've seen this season play out a million times. Steelers start off hot, look like they're one of the NFL's elite, then end the season on a huge cold streak and barely limp into the playoffs. Luckily for the Steelers the playoffs was clinched weeks ago and these last 4 games were only for seeding purposes, but oh boy were they ugly. Don't let the score in this one fool you, it was a 2 point game but the Steelers got whooped in my mind. Lets get into why!

George Pickens Disappearing Act

I have been up and down on Pickens all season. When he's on, he's one of the best receivers in the NFL, he's clearly the best receiver in Pittsburgh with nobody else coming even close. He has his fair share of attitude issues, but that comes with the territory of most elite receivers, you can stomach it when the production is there on the field. On Saturday night, the production was not there at all. Pickens finished with 1 reception for 0 yards despite being targeted 6 times. This wasn't a case of a DB blanketing him all game, Pickens just shrunk from the moment. I counted at least 3 catchable balls that Pickens just straight up dropped. On the sideline Pickens was getting into it with some fans, demonstrating his immaturity in a game they needed him to be locked in. By the end of the game, Wilson wasn't even looking at Pickens instead leaning on TE Pat Freiermuth to move the ball down the field. There isn't much more to say about Pickens but you can't not start here. Very disappointing showing from the team's young star. 

Bengals Tried to Bungle

Oh man did the Steelers ever get lucky in this one! In a 2 point game the Steelers were outgained 314-193, and lost the time of possession battle 38min to 22min. The Bengals really just failed to capitalize on the many opportunities they had in this one. In the first half, Calvin Austin fumbled a punt return setting the Bengals up deep in Steelers territory. Almost immediately after, Burrow threw a pick to Beanie Bishop to get the Steelers out of the sticky situation. Then came the most frustrating sequence of all time to end the half. With a minute left on second and long, Wilson completed a pass to Freiermuth for what they called a first down. Upon replay review, they determined it was actually not a first down, 3rd and 1. The Steelers tried a QB sneak which they called a first down, replay review then determined that too wasn't a first down so it's 4th and inches. They opt to go for it with the clock winding on the half down 3 points, they hand it off to Jaylen Warren who they award the first down to until, you guessed it, replay determined that wasn't a first down. 3 straight plays called back, the Steelers can't get a yard in 2 attempts and the Bengals take over on the Steelers 37 yard line with 44 seconds left. Luckily the Steelers defense stands up again and the Bengals settle for a field goal. Despite 2 crucial errors in the final minutes of the half, the Bengals only capitalize to the tune of 3 points and it's only a 6 point game at the half. 

Second half was more of the same offensive ineptitude. Quick 3 and out after quick 3 and out, meanwhile Joe Burrow is marching down the field drive after drive. Luckily for the Steelers some timely sacks meant the Bengals red zone trips only resulted in 3 keeping the Steelers alive. Around 10 minutes left in the game down 12 points, the Steelers finally got it going on offense. I will say here, they were down 12 but if things went right for the Bengals the Steelers should've been down 20+ at this point in the game, it was a miracle the game was as close as it was. The Steelers get a TD to Freiermuth with 8 minutes to go and the extra point made it a 5 point game. The defense then stands up and gets the ball back quickly, but the Steelers can't get anything going on offense and quickly go 3 and out. This is where the Bengals yet again give the Steelers a gift. A player on their punt return team barely grazes the ball with his cleat accidentally causing a muffed punt, the Steelers get it deep in Bengals territory despite getting nothing on offense. The Steelers do nothing with the great field position and are forced to settle for a FG to bring the game within 2 with a little over 2 minutes left. As they'd done all game, the Steelers defense stands up yet again and forces the 3 and out they needed to get the ball back with 2 minutes to go and a timeout remaining. Despite giving chance after chance after chance to the Bengals, the Steelers were going to have a shot to win it at the end, all you can ask for!

Poor Clock Management

This needs it's own segment. The Steelers quickly get the ball to their own 40 yard line but all their completions stayed in bounds so the clock is winding. Wilson with 40 or so seconds left takes the snap on first and 10 and decides to tuck and run for a gain of 4 yards, staying in bounds. This brutal decision shaved about 20 seconds off the clock and as the broadcast mentioned, he should've just thrown it away. The 4 yards he gained was nothing compared to the 20 seconds the Steelers lost. The Steelers run to the line to preserve their timeout for a FG attempt, but Wilson is sacked on the next play forcing them to now use it and stop the clock. Third and long with 20 seconds left, Wilson has Pickens WIDE OPEN, he throws it up but Pickens takes the weirdest route to the ball you'll ever see, lands flat on his back and the pass hits the turf. The 4th down pass falls incomplete as well and just like that the Steelers lost 4 straight. Poor clock management, blown plays by the Steelers best playmakers and an absolute waste of a defensive performance last night. 

What Now?

It's funny, if you told any Steelers fan at the start of the year that they'd be 10-7, making the playoffs, they'd be pretty happy with that result! They came into this year with 2 reclamation projects at QB, a WR room with 1 NFL caliber player and a young offensive line that was going to need time to gel. Something about going 10-3 before losing your last 4 that leaves a sour taste in your mouth, no matter what the ultimate outcome is. That being said, I actually don't hate the Steelers chances in the first playoff game. They now go to Baltimore at 8pm on Saturday to take on the Ravens. Lamar Jackson has a career passer rating of 102, vs the Steelers it's just 73.1. Lamar Jackson's playoff passer rating is just 75.7. Basically the only 2 times Lamar Jackson sucks is against the Steelers or in the playoffs, the Steelers now get him for both. Lamar Jackson is 0-4 in the playoffs when his opponent scores more than 13 points, a ridiculous stat. It is hard to be optimistic after the last 4 weeks, but if there was an opponent you want to see as a Steelers fan it's the Ravens. I for one will still be cheering for this team and routing for the upset, it will be that much sweeter if it comes at the expense of a division rival!

And that's that! Sad way to end the year, but fun regular season for sure. I love how even if the Steelers aren't top tier contenders, they still find ways to have a competitive season and entertain us fans. I can't say the same for my other primary team the Raptors that's for sure. Anyway, go Steelers!