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The Pittsburgh Steelers lost their first, and hopefully last, game of the season against the Washington Football Team. Mistakes were abundant, and losing was obviously frustrating but ill tackle this exercise with the most unbiased perspective I can.
Let’s evaluate the team and highlight some individual performances. You may think my grades are spot on, you might also think I'm an idiot. Regardless, express your thoughts in the comments below.
Let’s do this...
Offense
Grade: D
This game was a rough one of the offense, stop me if you heard that before. Back to back weeks the Steelers were hamstrung by dropped passes and an inability to run the football. Combine that with one of the worst games Randy Fichtner has called in sometime and it was a recipe for disaster. The offensive line did a good job keeping Ben Roethlisberger upright but once again were pushed back in the running game.
The saving grace for this game was Ben Roethlisberger, Big Ben was pin-point accurate, and played a solid game. Had the receivers not suffered those egregious drops, Roethlisberger may have led this team to victory. I cannot stress enough how good Roethlisberger has been this year and he deserves the credit.
Poll
What grade would you give the Steelers’ offense for Week 13?
This poll is closed
-
0%
A
(13 votes) -
0%
B
(5 votes) -
8%
C
(113 votes) -
43%
D
(612 votes) -
47%
F
(659 votes)
Defense
Grade: B
The Steelers had a fairly solid game defensively, however considering how they collapsed in the second half I cannot give them a grade better than a B. The Washington Football team was successful time and time again hitting their running backs out of the backfield, and Logan Thomas downfield. The Steelers obviously missed having Robert Spillane on the field, who likely would have been tasked with shutting the Football Teams runners down.
It’s not like the Steelers were not successful on defense at all. They had their moments, especially T.J. Watt who added to his league leading sack total and forced his first fumble of the year. Having Stephon Tuitt on the field was also a welcome sight. Mike Hilton was also a beast on Monday and made some outstanding plays.
Poll
What grade would you give the Steelers’ defense for Week 13?
This poll is closed
-
2%
A
(36 votes) -
27%
B
(364 votes) -
50%
C
(668 votes) -
14%
D
(187 votes) -
4%
F
(63 votes)
Special Teams
Grade: B
This was another average type day from the special teams. Nothing special, but no glaring mistakes. Ray Ray McCloud looked nervous at times after last weeks muffed punt but mustered a few nice returns.
Jordan Berry had a couple nice punts and a couple bad punts, Which is par for the Jordan Berry course.
And reserve kicker, Matthew Wright made the field goals when he was called upon.
All around a ‘meh’ day.
Poll
What grade would you give the Steelers’ special teams for Week 12?
This poll is closed
-
2%
A
(32 votes) -
32%
B
(392 votes) -
47%
C
(576 votes) -
10%
D
(122 votes) -
6%
F
(79 votes)
Coaching
Grade: D+
Now, I have to give credit where it’s due before I tear apart ‘you-know-who’. Keith Butler is having himself a good year. The Steelers defense has continued to be successful no matter which player is lost to injury, and there's been a lot. Danny Smith was fine on specials, and for Mike Tomlin, the standard is the standard.
Time to burn it down.
I don't care how much Ben Roethlisberger likes Randy Fichtner, it’s time to go. The offense is so boring, and flat. The unit has absolutely no creativity or can't figure out to run the ball. The worst part is the brutal, and predictable play calling. The draw plays on third and long, or screen passes on first down need to stop. It’s over Randy, and hopefully in 2021 so are you.
Poll
What grade would you give the Steelers’ coaching for Week 13?
This poll is closed
-
1%
A
(17 votes) -
1%
B
(19 votes) -
9%
C
(121 votes) -
34%
D
(430 votes) -
53%
F
(676 votes)
Overall
Grade: C-
This was a tough pill to swallow, I suppose I’m just not used to losing this year but boy was I left with a sour taste in my mouth. Perhaps I already talked 16-0 up so much in my mind that this stung more, maybe it was because the Steelers really should have won this game.
Alas, the Steelers are 11-1 and are in first place of the AFC. They still control their own fate and have another chance to get on track next week.
But that’s still no excuse for the dumpster fire that was Week 13.
Poll
What overall grade would you give the Steelers’ Week 13 performance?
This poll is closed
-
1%
A
(16 votes) -
0%
B
(3 votes) -
10%
C
(125 votes) -
59%
D
(722 votes) -
28%
F
(343 votes)
The Steelers now set their sights on the Buffalo Bills in a Sunday Night Football clash. A loss bumps the Steelers out of first place in the AFC, a win brings the team one step closer to a division championship. Keep your eyes locked on BTSC for the latest updates, breakdowns, and previews for the Steelers Week 14 match up with the Bills.