The Steelers ‘Bonehead’ and ‘Genius’ decisions of the week, Chargers Edition

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had their share of ‘bonehead’ decisions throughout their 1-4 start to the 2019 season. Every game, even games where the Steelers pull out the ‘W’, have their moments where fans are scratching their heads regarding a specific decision. There have also been some very genius moves made, of which should be noted too.

The overall crux of this article was built around the fact of giving fans a chance to have a space where they can put their collective heads together and try and figure out what went wrong, what went right, and why the outcome went down the way it did.

After last week’s article, it was recommended along with the bad decision of the week, which some viewed as too negative, we add in a positive decision. So, this feature has turned into the bonehead and genius decisions of the week.

When it comes to bonehead decision, for me it was what led to the only real gaffe quarterback Devlin Hodges made the entire night. Hodges played a masterful game, taking what the Chargers gave him, but it was a decision made by both Randy Fichtner and Hodges to start driving the ball down the field which resulted in the Steelers’ first, and only, turnover of the game.

Up until that point it was pure domination by the Steelers on both sides of the ball, but that interception was the first time they strayed away from what was working so well, and it equated to momentum swinging in Los Angeles’ favor. In fact, I doubt the game would have been even remotely as close if not for that one key mistake.

There just wasn’t a need to start driving the ball down the field at that juncture in the game.

I decided to reach out to Dave Schofield regarding his bonehead decisions and/or genius decisions of Week 6. See what he had to say:

Dave Schofield — Bonehead Move — Throwing to Ryan Switzer behind the line of scrimmage on 3rd & 7

With 4:55 remaining in the game, the Steelers had a third and seven on their own 42-yard line. The ensuing play was a throw two yards behind the line of scrimmage to Ryan Switzer who was tackled immediately. Switzer does not get many yards after the catch (2.125 yards after catch per reception), so running that play specifically to him was the wrong call and killed the drive.

Dave Schofield — Genius Move — Punting on 4th & 1 with 1:11 remaining in the game

With a seven point lead and 1:11 left in the fourth quarter, the Steelers were faced with a 4th & 1 at the Chargers 36 yard line. Rather than going for the first down or trying the 54-yard field goal, the Steelers chose to punt the ball away. Pinning the Chargers at the one yard line worked out perfectly as they were working out of their own endzone. Two plays later Cameron Sutton ended the game with an interception.

It is here where you, the reader, gets to voice your concern/anger/pleasure with something the Steelers did, or didn’t do, from the week that was! Let us know your bonehead and/or genius decisions of the week in the comment section below!