Wow. I don't know what else to say after the Steelers (2-1) questionable outing against the less than stellar Colts (0-3). The Steelers have a history of playing down to people and this game seemed like a trap game from the start. The Steelers didn't give up a lot of yards but still seemed to struggle with the Colts running game and don't appear in the form that fans are used too.
The defense allowed a lot of rushing yards from one of the NFL's worst rushing teams and it appeared to look like they were struggling with the Colts sub par offense. The Colts gained 241 yard of offense, 144 through the air and 97 on the ground. For the most part they were solid, forcing the Colts to punt seven times although it seemed like they were just beaten around in the second half.
The biggest thing that I noticed about the defense is the lack of pressure. The Steelers seemed to be dropping back James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley more then they blitzed them. The Steelers didn't seem to utilize LeBeau's famous stunts and gap blitzes at all. The pressure is not there and every one of us is scratching our head wondering why. There seems to be something missing, personally I think it is the contracts. The most dynamic players all got paid this offseason and now we are not calling their names. Woodley, Polamalu and Timmons have combined for 2.5 sacks and no turnovers, although Troy is seeming to get back to form returning a fumble for a touchdown.
The Steelers offense did a lot of things right, but the things they did wrong were really big. The Steelers amassed 408 yards of total offense, throwing for 364 and rushing for 67. The turnovers continue to kill the Steelers as Ben was responsible for another three turnovers, pushing his season total to eight.
The line had a lot of injuries as well; Marcus Gilbert was replaced by Trai Essex, then Doug Legursky was replaced by Ramon Foster, then left tackle Jonathan Scott went out and was replaced by the injured Marcus Gilbert. I am curious to see if any of the injuries are serious and if the Steelers resign someone like Flozell Adams or promote a newbie like Jamon Meredith.
I will not however blame the turnovers and poor performance on the offensive line. Ben was holding onto the ball too long and was again over throwing his receivers. The Steelers need to run to throw the ball. They came out throwing all over the place in the first quarter and then went to the well too many times and fumbled; then they went to the well again, and fumbled again; how about going to the well one more time? interception. The Steelers have 10 turnovers, eight of them are a result of passing plays.
I know this keeps getting old as well, but what the hell is Bruce Arians doing? The Steelers took advantage of the injured Colts secondary passing for 171 yards and a score in the first quarter. Mike Wallace caught the bulk of those grabbing three balls for 129 yards and a score, which was an 81 grab and run. Tony Dungy himself said that if the Steelers wanted to keep the Colts in the game, they should drop back and throw and boy was he right. The Colts caught onto the game plan and pulled their ears back. Freeney and Mathis sacked Ben three times and forced a fumble for a touchdown. Ben held onto the ball too long and the Steelers seemed too reluctant to run the ball, even if it isn't working right.
Speaking of running the ball, is the Super Bowl fumble still haunting Rashard Mendenhall? He cannot seem to run north and south and is costing himself and this team so much when he stops and shimmies. The Colts were not fooled by the movement because Rashard isn't going anywhere without his feet and they just focused on his feet. Mendenhall is an average running back and the Steelers might need to start considering a new one.
The Steelers can't seem to tie everything together and that won't get any easier this week as they travel to Houston to battle the high scoring Texans. Some how the Steelers need to push the run game more and limit Ben and his turnovers.
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