Pittsburgh’s Path To A ‘Back On Track’ Win
Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) as they play the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers left their game versus the Arizona Cardinals battered, bruised, and embarrassed. The three-win Cardinals physically dominated Pittsburgh from start to finish in a game that, quite frankly, wasn’t highly contested. Pittsburgh looked like an unprepared, uninspired team that took their opponent for granted.
With a quick turnaround, there is no time to wallow in their shortcomings. They have an opportunity to solidify a place in the playoffs against the New England Patriots. To do that, they must completely transform from the squad that participated in last Sunday’s debacle.
With all the Steelers’ shortcomings, and given the opportunity that lies in front of them, most would assume this would have been impossible to happen. Yet here they are again (already) facing another two-win team. Only this time, the Black and Gold’s backs are against the wall. They not only need a win, they need a dominant performance to erase the stench of last week. So how do they get there?
Trubisky Must Take The Lead
With starter Kenny Pickett out for the next several weeks, Mitchell Trubisky has an opportunity to not only lead a playoff-contending team, but also resurrect his reputation as a quarterback around the league. If he can remain poised while still taking calculated gambles downfield, the Steelers’ offense has a chance to thrive.
With the similarities between Trubisky and Pickett, the offensive philosophy and play calling won’t have to change much at all. Not to mention, Trubisky is not afraid to go down the field with the football — especially down the middle of the field. Last week, Pittsburgh regressed to the Matt Canada offense that refused to throw in the middle of the field. That can’t happen against the Patriots.
New England, for all its faults, has a good defense that will force you to places on the field your offense doesn’t want to go. With help from new play-caller Mike Sullivan, using the entire field and their assortment of weapons should help Pittsburgh move the ball against such a stingy defense.
Defense Needs To Own The Game
The Patriots’ offense has been a disaster the entire season. They’re averaging just over 300 yards a game, which is unimpressive to say the least. They have changed quarterbacks a few times during the season in an unsuccessful attempt to gin up a productive offense.
This is where the Steelers’s D can take over the game and help the offense. New England has shown on several occasions that they will give the ball away. If Pittsburgh eliminates the run, which they failed to do against the Cardinals, they can force the Patriots into obvious passing downs, where the Pats struggle mightily and are likely to cough up turnovers.
After being the driving force of the team all season, Pittsburgh’s defense fell flat versus Arizona. They were physically manhandled at the point of attack and downright awful on third down. If they get back to playing their aggressive, hard-hitting style, there is no reason why this unit can’t own the entire game.
The Standard Needs To Get Back To The Standard
What we saw against the Cardinals was not recognizable to many Steeler fans.
To come out so unprepared with such a lack of emotion was troubling. (And then they doubled down on this lack of awareness, as seen in the video below.) It’s not typical of Mike Tomlin football teams.
Diontae Johnson celebrating the Steelers late TD pic.twitter.com/B5OqbTAwOt
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 3, 2023
Fortunately, redemption can come quickly. The leaders of the team, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Minkah Fitzpatrick have to help Tomlin inside the locker room on such a short week. But let’s not kid ourselves, this is a Tomlin problem that requires more than coach speak at the podium.
The Steelers were undeniably embarrassed last week. They had a margin for error that allowed them to remain in the fifth seed in the AFC. That no longer exists. Right away they’re in another game where they are favored, and it’s the very definition of a must-have win.
As we saw last week, anything can happen in the NFL. Pittsburgh is simply not a talented enough squad to go through the motions and win. So there is no better time to play their first complete game of the season than on Thursday Night Football.
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