The Pittsburgh Steelers are so disheveled, it’s difficult to know where to start.
Refreshing Steelers notes seems the correct path. But they’re not so refreshing. More like a kick to the groin.
• It’s time to stop making excuses on this sorry team’s behalf. The Steelers stink. Say so.
• Punting instead of trying a 57-yard field goal that would have brought the Steelers within one score in the third quarter of Saturday’s loss at Indianapolis was a bad, cowardly decision, not least because the game was played indoors and kicker Chris Boswell has the leg. But it didn’t lose the game. The Steelers were never in danger of winning.
• The Steelers defense is riddled by injury. But Indianapolis was missing their starting quarterback, running back and right tackle. The Colts lost their top receiver and No. 2 running back mid-game. Every team has injuries by Week 15.
• The Steelers defense was incredibly bad. Indianapolis bulldozed the Steelers with 13 straight running plays utilizing practice-squad backs en route to a fourth-quarter field goal. The Colts had three consecutive drives of 70 or more yards in the second quarter. The defense got no takeaways. It posted three sacks for a measly 13 yards worth of losses. It’s the highest-paid defense in the league but is a liability.
• T.J. Watt rushed the passer on almost every play Saturday. The Colts often ran the ball where he vacated.
• This offseason, the Steelers should trade Watt for a big package that would probably include two first-round draft picks. Watt is 29, has played great this year and avoided injury. But by the time the Steelers get fixed, Watt will be past his prime or retired. Trading him to a better team would help the Steelers rebuild and do Watt a favor.
• Damontae Kazee’s hit on the Colts’ Michael Pittman was clearly targeting the head and merited ejection. But let’s be honest: Kazee got tossed, and Indianapolis’ top receiver got knocked out of the game. Good trade for the Steelers, albeit regrettably achieved.
• The Steelers have now had a losing streak of three games or more in each of the last six seasons. But the players love Coach T.
• The Steelers took eight penalties for 101 yards. But the players love Coach T.
• George Pickens obviously quits on plays, most notably Saturday on a Jaylen Warren run near the goal line where Pickens chose to not block, totally shutting down. But the players love Coach T.
