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The Steelers loss to the Browns means that Pittsburgh has now dropped two straight games to hardened AFC North Division rivals, with a rematch with the Ravens looming...
...Their division title hopes come down to a miracle and making the playoffs is likely going to be a struggle
...But before they can get worry about that, here are 5 Burning Questions Steelers Nation must resolve.
1. After watching Charlie Batch's poor performance against the Browns, do those of us, such as yours truly, who came down hard on Mike Tomlin for leaving in Leftwich vs. the Ravens, now have cause to reconsider our criticism?
2. Don't look now, but the Steelers sack leader is none other than... Jason Worilds. What does that say to you? Or is what we're seeing simply a function of injuries and/or aging to LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison?
3. In addition to promoting Jonathan Dwyer, Mike Tomlin's depth chart also listed the wide receiver slot opposite of Antonio Brown as Mike Wallace/Emmanuel Sanders. Is there substance to this or is it all style? Beyond that, do you think Sanders deserves to start over and/or split time with Wallace?
4. The Steelers activated David DeCastro, put Marcus Gilbert on IR, and announced plans to start Kelvin Beacham at right tackle. Given the importance of this game, which offensive line configuration do you think would put Pittsburgh's best five lineman on the field (if a player's name appears in an option, assume he's healthy):
a. Starks-Colon-Pouncey-Foster-Becham
b. Starks-Legursky-Pouncey-DeCastro-Beachum
c. Starks-Colon-Pouncey-Legursky-Foster
d. Starks-Legursky-Pouncey-DeCastro-Colon
e. Starks-Colon-Pouncey-DeCastro-Foster
f. Starks-Colon-Pouncey-DeCastro-Beachum
g. -- Name your own Steelers O-Line combination not anticipated above --
h. Marvel Smith-Alan Faneca-Dermontti Dawson-Gerry Mullins-Tunch Ilkin (Ha! Don't we wish we could start that line with all five healthy and in their primes!)
5. The Steelers defense is stuffing the run, limiting the big play, and getting off the field on third down. Yet, for a second straight year, few sacks and even fewer turnovers. Does this disparity tell you that the unit has an upside or that the good statistics of the Steelers defense are largely a mirage?
There you go folks, have it it.