The Steelers wrapped up a tremendously disappointing season at home after a 16-13 win against the Bengals. The team missed the playoffs when the Ravens beat the Browns later that day. After discussing their win streak a month ago, we look at how a team so full of promise fell off the cliff in the last month of the year. The losing began in Denver, and ended in New Orleans, with Pittsburgh spending January at home for the first time since 2013.
In Denver, Pittsburgh outplayed the Broncos, but lost the game due to four turnovers and a blocked field goal, all of which came on Denver’s side of the field, including two turnovers inside the 5. The defense put up a solid performance, and the team made some great plays, including a 97 yard TD pass and a fake field goal TD pass, but in the end, the turnovers cost the Steelers the game. They outgained the Broncos by 219 total yards, and held the ball for ten more minutes, but Pittsburgh’s ball security was the deciding factor.
The next two weeks, the Steelers played the Chargers and Raiders, and suffered two defeats. The Chargers game exposed the Steelers defense, as they blew a 23-7 lead, and screwed up the final play, committing two penalties to overrule Mike Bagdley field goal failures. Oakland was another awful game, where Pittsburgh lost on two Chris Boswell field goal misses.
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After a tremendous win over New England, Pittsburgh headed into New Orleans. The Steelers hung tight with the best team in the NFL, but failed on a fake punt in their own territory with under 5 minutes left on the clock. A late fumble by JuJu Smith-Schuster sealed the game, and left Pittsburgh’s season in grave danger. They missed the playoffs the next week after the Ravens beat the Browns, despite Pittsburgh beating the Bengals.
The statistical difference was once more a deciding factor. The Steelers allowed 49 fourth quarter points in their final six games, while during the win streak of six games, they only allowed 30 fourth quarter points. Missed opportunities were also a problem. In the last six games, they committed 11 turnovers, 9 of which were in the opponents side of the field. They only had six turnovers in their winning streak. Lastly, injuries begun causing problems towards the end of the season. James Conner missed 3 important games due to an ankle sprain. Roethlisberger sat out most of the second half against Oakland, and while he was out, they scored zero points and had a turnover.
The NFL Playoffs are under way, as yesterday the Colts beat Houston on the road, and Dallas edged Seattle 24-22. We predict what’s ahead.
Wild Card
Chargers at Ravens
Chargers 20, Ravens 18
Eagles at Bears
Bears 28, Eagles 16
Divisional Round
Colts at Chiefs
Colts 32, Chiefs 31
Bears at Rams
Bears 16, Rams 14
Chargers at Patriots
Chargers 20, Patriots 14
Cowboys at Saints
Saints 27, Cowboys 17
Conference Championships
Bears at Saints
Saints 20, Bears 13
Colts at Chargers
Chargers 37, Colts 31 (OT)
Super Bowl LIII
Saints 38, Chargers 31
