By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today             Â
CHICAGO, ILL–Prior to Sunday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears, it was confirmed that the Steelers have a 1-13 record in their last 13 games vs. the Bears in Chicago with their only win coming in a 27-24 OT victory in 1995.Â
But the 12 losses have proven that if the Steelers are Superman, then Chicago’s Soldier Field is Kryptonite and Sunday’s game was no different as the Steelers fell for a 13th time in a 31-28 stunner to the Bears.
“That was a hard-fought game,” said Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. “Certainly, have to compliment (Chicago Bears Head) Coach (Ben) Johnson and the Bears on a winning performance. Like I just told the team, it’s tight when it’s good on good, particularly when you’re in a hostile environment. Any number of plays could have changed the outcome of the game, and that’s why we’ve just got to live every down singularly in all three phases knowing that. And I think today was a very good illustration of that,”
The Steelers had every opportunity to win this game, especially after rebounding from a 7-0 7 deficit, to take a 14-7 lead after LB TJ Watt sacked Bears QB Caleb Williams in their own end zone, causing him to fumble the ball, which was recovered by fellow LB Nick Herbig for the score. When the score was tied at 14, the Steelers took a very unconventional approach on 4th down when they were lined up in the ‘Tush Push’ formation on 4th down when the ball was pitched to RB Kenneth Gainwell, who ran 56 yards to the 1-yard line, leading to a 1-yard TD by fellow RB Jaylen Warren to give them a 21-14 lead. The Steelers running game had a spectacular day with Gainwell running for 92 yards and Warren for 68, plus 12 from WR DK Metcalf (168 yards total) but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to beat the Bears.
“I thought we could have had better field position with our kickoff team. For example, we had more timely punting with our punt team. I thought we started the second half slow,” said Tomlin. “I think we had two three-and-outs on offense. I thought our defense put a smile in the face of adversity better, in the first half, in particular. I think we got stopped on fourth down,”
Steelers QB Mason Rudolph, filling in for the injured Aaron Rodgers (wrist) had a strong first half, in which he led his team to 3 scores. Unfortunately, he was only able to lead them to one score in the entire second half, and that proved to be very costly for the Steelers.Â
“I thought he was game. He always is,” Tomlin said about Rudolph’s performance. “He made plays for us, particularly in the fourth quarter. But as a collective, him included, we didn’t do enough to win,”
Rudolph finished 24/31 for 171 yards, a TD, and an interception.
Tomlin also said he expects Rodgers to return for the Steelers game vs. the Buffalo Bills next Sunday. “I anticipate him being ready for next week. It was a prudent decision to make. Certainly, it wasn’t a fluid week for him. It was a fluid week for (Steelers QB) Mason (Rudolph) in terms of reps and so forth. So, I think it will be in our rear view as we move forward. I’m hopeful of that.”
In the second and third quarters, the Steelers defense had its challenges as they gave up all 31 points. QB Caleb Williams was superb as he went 19/35 for 239 yards and 3TDs. 64 of those yards and 2 TDs went to WR DJ Moore, who also led with 9 receptions.
“He’s done a nice job of extending plays without a whole lot of negativity. He’s highly accurate, he spreads the ball around to a lot of people. He’s a good player,” Tomlin said of Williams.
With the loss, the Steelers not only fell to 6-5, but they also fell out for first place in the AFC North Division with the Ravens victory. The Steelers know it is imperative for them to learn from this loss and prepare themselves for one of the elite teams in the NFC.
“We’re all responsible. We know that,” said Tomlin. “That game is an illustration of that. It’s just tight when it’s good on good. And we didn’t make enough plays in enough sequences as I mentioned to be successful,”
Notes: Tomlin addressed the injuries: “DK (Metcalf) had an ankle. You saw him go back in. (Steelers CB) Joey Porter (Jr.) has a hip flexor; he wasn’t able to return. (Steelers OT) Broderick Jones had a stinger. I don’t have any further description of that, I think he’ll be examined for further information,”
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