Week Eight Takeaways: Steelers overpowered by the Eagles
The Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t expected, by most NFL analysts and fans – including Steelers Nation – to have any shot whatsoever in challenging the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. While the Steelers were ultimately overpowered by an Eagles team that looks stacked in every aspect of the game, and may just be the NFC’s best team, Pittsburgh did show signs that there’s still fight in them.
The 35-13 final score doesn’t tell the whole story but it’s likely the only thing that matters to a lot of fans who were excited about the potential this Steelers squad had entering the 2022 NFL regular season. At the end of a game, though, it doesn’t matter how excited fans are about what a playmaker might do if the playmaker can’t consistently make plays. The Steelers’ inconsistencies are building up to the point that they’re hitting the wall of their own accord.
Since this is a team that continues to say that it’s a “whole team” issue they’re facing, there’s no real reason to dispute them or pick out individuals to place blame on.
This team still has plenty of raw talent and potential; they may not have enough of a sense of it, though, to correct a season that’s nearly slipped away as they approach the middle of the regular season.
The Steelers did take shots. They earned 3.0 sacks on Jalen Hurts and limited his rushing yardage to two carries for ten yards and zero touchdowns. They caught Philly off guard when Chase Claypool threw a touchdown to Derek Watt. Replacement kicker Nick Sciba was perfect.
Unfortunately, there was not effective enough execution across the board to overcome deficits like Hurts finding A.J. Brown for three deep touchdowns. The offensive line allowed Kenny Pickett to face the harshest pressure he’s dealt with since becoming the starting quarterback, which led to sacks, fumbles, and an interception.
The offensive playbook was opened up more than what the Steelers had previously shown a willingness to do. Pickett did take shots down the field. Again, he and Diontae Johnson seemed to be on different pages. George Pickens came down with a catch that should have been challenged and wasn’t, making his day a scratch from any history books.
“We lack a lot of stuff. We lack a lot of experience. We lack a lot of discipline, accountability. We lack a lot. We can’t go forward without correcting the little things that are affecting us. That’s the stuff we talk about every week…” – Najee Harris
Harris is correct, and he may be partially saying that while looking at his own reflection. This is a Steelers team that has no lack of things to reflect upon.
Coach Tomlin speaks to the media: pic.twitter.com/nQMJpy2Q8F
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 30, 2022
A lot of blame is laid at Mike Tomlin’s feet as the head coach. It remains to be seen if he can plug any more holes in this 2022 Steelers squad, though, as leak after leak breaks through the dam.
There is something to be said, though, about this team’s relative lack of enough leadership among the players. There have been guys who’ve been vocal, been seen trying to coach-up others. Cameron Heyward, amazingly, is one of the most veteran players on this squad… and he can’t be the lone guy to step in.
Pickett, as a rookie, has been thrust into a role that many might not think he has the experience to speak up about, even though he’s been willing to admit accountability is needed, including from himself.
“We’ve been having these problems all year. That has to get changed. That has to get fixed. We need to look each other in the eye and get it turned around… Coaches can say whatever they want. Everyone in the media and fans can say whatever they want. At the end of the day, it’s down to us, so we have to figure it out.” – Kenny Pickett
Tomlin has faced rough seasons during his tenure in Pittsburgh. The 2013 squad that got off to a 2-6 start found a way to grab six wins in eight games to finish 8-8. That team didn’t get into the playoffs.
For some fans, that’ll never be a win; never be good enough. They want the playoffs and a Super Bowl every season, which is unrealistic but undeniable.
If this year’s team is able to get things figured out during the ‘bye’ and come back to earn a .500 finish, though, it will be a positive step because they recovered from their missteps and inconsistencies to get playmakers making plays again.
