For half-hour, the Pittsburgh Steelers regarded like a workforce rediscovering its swagger. They had been crisp, bodily, and environment friendly on each side of the ball. Pittsurgh took a commanding 16-7 lead into halftime over the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers was in management and the Steelers’ protection regarded dialed in. What adopted, although, was a meltdown so full that it left even their most loyal followers surprised.
Second half spill
The second half was an unraveling of every little thing that labored within the first. Pittsburgh was outscored, 28-9, after the break. The Steelers gave up large performs by means of the air, failed to guard the soccer, and watched Jordan Love decide them aside. Tight finish Tucker Kraft torched the Steelers’ secondary for 143 yards and two touchdowns. In the meantime, the Steelers’ personal offense sputtered and settled for area objectives. The 35-25 defeat dropped Pittsburgh to 4-3 on the season They’re nonetheless technically atop the AFC North. Nonetheless, that is out of the blue a workforce with obtrusive cracks in its basis.
Right here we’ll attempt to take a look at and talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers most in charge for dismal second half in loss to Packers.
Protection collapses underneath stress
What occurred to the vaunted Steelers protection? The identical group that smothered Inexperienced Bay early on fully fell aside after halftime. Missed tackles, blown coverages, and undisciplined penalties outlined an evening that ought to have belonged to them.
Love discovered rhythm after a shaky begin. He simply carved up Pittsburgh’s secondary with precision. Kraft was the largest thorn of their aspect. He repeatedly discovered area over the center, caught seven passes, and had two scores. Most of his 140+ yards got here after the catch. Steelers defenders struggled to deliver him down. On his second landing, Kraft even outran everybody. That was a damning indictment of the unit’s lack of pace within the again finish.
Defensive captain Cameron Heyward didn’t mince phrases afterward, admitting, “There’s not loads of battle in us proper now.”
It confirmed, too. Cornerback Brandin Echols missed a deal with that led on to a Packers landing. In the meantime, security Juan Thornhill regarded misplaced monitoring the ball on deep throws. Even standout nook Joey Porter Jr drew a number of pricey penalties that prolonged drives.
The Steelers guess closely on their skilled secondary to offer management and stability. The fact is grim, although. The veterans have slowed down, and the youthful gamers aren’t disciplined sufficient to fill the gaps. Until this protection finds a solution to regain its edge, it should preserve letting leads slip away.
Offensive stagnation after halftime
The offense was environment friendly and inventive within the first half. Nonetheless, it fell fully lifeless within the second. Rodgers regarded sharp early. He orchestrated three scoring drives earlier than the break. After halftime, nevertheless, the spark disappeared. The Steelers punted on three of their first 5 second-half possessions and turned the ball over in a vital fourth-quarter second that successfully sealed the loss. The offensive line crumbled underneath Inexperienced Bay’s second-half stress. Rodgers was sacked 3 times. These included a back-breaking takedown by Micah Parsons simply because the Packers took the lead.
Even worse, the receiving corps let him down. Pricey drops by George Pickens and Allen Robinson killed drives, whereas poor execution on third downs (1-for-10 within the second half) made sustained offense not possible. Pittsburgh relied far too closely on kicker Chris Boswell’s leg, settling for area objectives when touchdowns had been wanted.
The Steelers’ conservative method after taking the lead additionally drew criticism. They went away from the aggressive mindset that labored within the first half.
TJ Watt’s quiet night time raises issues
When a workforce is collapsing, its stars are anticipated to step up. TJ Watt didn’t.
The previous Defensive Participant of the Yr was a non-factor towards the Packers. Sure, Inexperienced Bay schemed to neutralize him with double groups and fast passes. That mentioned, Watt merely didn’t make the impression performs which have outlined his profession. He completed with minimal stress and no sacks. On the opposite finish of the sector, Parsons wreaked havoc.
It’s not nearly one quiet night time. Watt’s begin to the season has been unusually subdued. He’s not constantly successful his matchups. Additionally, the shortage of disruption is placing much more stress on a shaky secondary. It’s truthful to wonder if fatigue or lingering accidents are catching as much as him. Regardless of the purpose, although, the Steelers want Watt to reassert his dominance in the event that they hope to remain aggressive within the AFC.
Mike Tomlin’s conservatism prices them once more
Finally, this loss lands on the toes of head coach Mike Tomlin. After taking a two-score lead into halftime, the Steelers got here out flat, passive, and predictable.
Tomlin’s resolution to tug again offensively backfired spectacularly. The workforce went right into a shell, and as soon as momentum shifted towards Inexperienced Bay, they by no means recovered. Rodgers himself hinted at frustration postgame. He referenced “self-discipline points and pointless penalties.” That was an indictment of teaching as a lot as execution.
Tomlin has constructed his fame on toughness and accountability. Nonetheless, this sport raised actual questions on each. The Steelers regarded like a workforce uncertain of its identification.
A mirror second for Pittsburgh
The loss to Inexperienced Bay was a mirror. It confirmed who the Steelers actually are proper now. This can be a workforce able to brilliance in spurts however incapable of sustaining it. The protection isn’t elite anymore. The offense lacks rhythm. The teaching employees is just too conservative when video games dangle within the steadiness. At 4-3, Pittsburgh continues to be alive within the AFC playoff race. That mentioned, the issues that surfaced Sunday night time can’t be ignored.