The “Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” from the Steelers first defeat against the Washington Football Team
Following every Pittsburgh Steelers game, Travis Newton takes a no-holds-barred, unabashed look at what went well, not so good and just plain ugly. Here is this week’s edition of the “Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”
The Steelers have been on a downhill slide for the past three weeks that concluded in a cataclysmic failure in their week 13 matchup against the Washington Football Team. A mixture of a non-existent running game, dropped passes and an inability to provide a deep ball threat all led to the steady collapse of a team once associated with perfection.
The good news is, it is just one loss and Pittsburgh still controls the lead in the AFC North. The past three weeks haven’t looked good, but there is a lot to learn from and adjustments that can be made to get the Steelers back in the win column.
The Good
James Washington Touchdown Reception
Steelers Ball: 2nd Quarter 4:03 – 1st-and-10 50
Following a three-and-out for Washington, the Steelers looked to extend their lead and did so quickly when James Washington turned a simple hitch route into six points.
The short passing game has been the bread and butter for the Steelers offense this season, relying on receivers to break tackles. Washington did just that, shaking off the first defender, then outrunning the rest of the Washington secondary 50 yards for a second consecutive Pittsburgh touchdown.
The Bad
Ben Roethlisberger Interception
Steelers Ball: 4th Quarter 2:04 – 1st-and-10 PIT 25
After a go ahead field goal by Dustin Hopkins, Pittsburgh faithful were hoping for a vintage Roethlisberger 4th Quarter drive with just over two minutes remaining. These hopes were extinguished almost immediately when a tipped pass attempt led to an interception for the Washington Football Team.
Roethlisberger was looking across the middle for Ebron when Montez Sweat got a paw onto the pass and sent it flying into the air. Up for grabs, John Bostic sat under the fluttering ball and picked it off.
The interception set up Washington in Pittsburgh territory, just one first down away from being able to run down the clock and end the game.
The Ugly
Ray-Ray McCloud Muffed Punt
Washington Ball: 1st Quarter 2:00 – 4th-and-7 WAS 12
For a second week in a row, Ray-Ray McCloud finds himself in the “Ugly” section for his special team blunders. After a muffed punt last week that caused a turnover, he nearly had another this week that would have proven just as costly.
Pinned deep in their own territory, Washington punted it away giving the Steelers an opportunity for good field position. McCloud, looking lost on the field, called late for a fair catch and was hit by an opposing player who was pushed into the returner. The ball squirted out of McCloud’s grasp and was nearly recovered by Washington before fortunately being scooped up by Sean Davis, saving the Pittsburgh possession.
After consecutive weeks of critical errors and an overall uneasiness as punt returner, it may be time for the Steelers to move on from McCloud at the position. As Pittsburgh looks to make a Postseason run, a mistake as such could make the difference in a critical game.
