By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
PITTSBURGH, PA-After their victory of the NY Jets last Sunday in New Jersey, the Pittsburgh Steelers were hoping to continue their winning ways as they returned home to host the Seattle Seahawks for their home opener. Unfortunately, those goals didn’t materialize the way they planned as the Steelers collapsed in all three phases (offense, defense & special teams) en route to a 31-17 defeat to the Seahawks.
“Certainly, a disappointing home opener,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “There’s a lot of things that we can do better in all phases and in coaching and we will. I compliment those guys on a winning performance. You know, it was still a ball game, man. There’s a lot to be desired, certainly but it’s just interesting. We were in a close ball game last week and a special teams play broke it open in our favor. This week we’re in a close ball game and a special teams play broke it open in our opponent’s favor. I just think that’s life in this business at this level.”
The loss was especially disappointing to the Steelers because they were leading 14-7 at the end of the first half when QB Aaron Rodgers found WR DK Metcalf for a 2-yard TD pass and a 2-point conversion from Rodgers to TE Darnell Washington. This resulted from a 41-yard interception by LB Nick Herbig who picked off Seahawks QB Sam Darnold on 4th down. Unfortunately, that was the brightest spot for the Steelers’ offense as they were unable to score any more TDs the rest of the game.
“You know, I’m concerned about a lot of things. We didn’t perform to the level that we desired not only in that space but in a lot of spaces and so certainly there’s a lot that has my attention leading into this upcoming week,” said Tomlin.
The other points came off the foot of K Chris Boswell, who kicked 3 FGs. Rodgers (18/33,203 yards, TD, INT) also threw a costly interception that ended a Steelers opportunity that was set-up by a 65-yard pass from Rodgers to RB Jaylen Warren, who finished with 86 yards on 4 receptions.
For the first time in the Tomlin era, the Steelers defense gave up 31 points in their first 2 games. But unlike last week’s game, the Steelers seemed to lose their moxie–especially after a costly play in the 2nd half.
Trailing 17-14, the Seahawks kicked off to the Steelers and the ball was heading in the direction of rookie RB Kaleb Johnson and instead of catching the ball, he allowed the ball to roll into the endzone-which means it’s still a live ball. Seattle’s George Holani then recovered the loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown, extending their lead to 24-14. The Steelers then got 3-points closer on Boswell’s 3rd FG, but then the Seahawks delivered the ‘knockout punch’ after RB Kenneth Walker III’s (13 carries, 105 yards) TD.
“Poor judgment by a young player,” Tomlin commented when asked about Johnson’s miscue.
Despite throwing 2 interceptions, Darnold (22/33,295 yards, 2TD, 2 INT) played a superb game. His 2 TDs were to WR Tory Horton and a 7-yard TD pass to RB AJ Barner. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba led all receivers with 103 yards on 8 catches.
“You know, we didn’t eliminate some known eligibles I thought, particularly early we didn’t do enough to minimize 11 on possession downs,” said Tomlin. “I thought we improved in that area. That’s why we were able to settle it down. They went down the field and scored on the first drive, but it was pretty nip and tuck after that for the remaining two quarters until the game got broken open.”
So now the Steelers must learn from this, make necessary adjustments, and return to the road as they will travel to New England to face the Patriots.
“I have a desire for us to be cleaner so you can’t point to singular plays as pivotal points in the game, etc. So, we have a lot of work to do and that’s just to put it succinctly,” said Tomlin. “But really disappointed. We’ll get better; we have to. We’ll begin that process tomorrow.”
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