The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a win against the Cleveland Browns in the worst way after being embarrassed in Week 1 by the San Francisco 49ers. The Steelers played poorly in all three phases of the game in the opener, but Week 2 saw two of the three units come to play in a big way on Monday Night Football and the team emerged with a hard-fought 26-22 victory.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' Alex Highsmith scores a touchdown on the opening play of Monday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns.
The Steelers defense set the tone on the first offensive play of the game by the Browns. Deshaun Watson threw a ball to Harrison Bryant that was bobbled, and after Minkah Fitzpatrick got his hands on the ball, Alex Highsmith secured the interception and rumbled to the end zone for a 7-0 lead. The remaining 59 minutes were a typically ugly AFC North football game clinched by a TJ Watt fumble return halfway through the fourth quarter.
After the game, Mike Tomlin spoke to the media and was perturbed by questions about Kenny Pickett and Matt Canada. The Steelers offense had another rough game. Pickett missed some key throws, and Canada did his best to kill any momentum the offense started to generate. A reporter told Tomlin he should be concerned about the slow starts by his second-year quarterback and that Canada might not be to blame.
“Question,” Tomlin asked sternly. “What’s the question?”
The stunned media member stumbled but managed to retort. He asked Tomlin if he would do anything to try to fix the situation and get either one to improve their performance. Tomlin is great at press conferences, but does not appreciate obvious or foolish questions like any coach.
“Certainly,” Tomlin replied coldly. “We got planning to do next week. It doesn’t make sense for me to divulge it in this setting. We got a game coming up in six days. We’ll let that do our talking.”
The Steelers needed two defensive touchdowns to beat the Browns in Week 2 on Monday Night Football. The offense struggled, but expecting Tomlin to be too critical of a much-needed win is unrealistic. That's something the next member of the media quickly found out after asking if Tomlin was okay with the formula of getting a couple of big plays and holding on for the win.
“We are not going to apologize for winning,” Tomlin said in exasperation.
Tomlin is losing patience with the questions about his second-year quarterback and offensive coordinator just two games into the season. The team's leader is not likely happy with the 19 points his offense has generated in two games. He is undoubtedly tired of addressing it.
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Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin is annoyed with questions about his offensive coordinator and quarterback after a 26-22 win on Monday Night Football over the Cleveland Browns.
Is Former Steelers QB Byron Leftwich's Employment Status A Likely Sign That He Is In Line For Matt Canada's Job?
Unfortunately for Tomlin, this is a bed he chose to lie in. He could have replaced Canada in the offseason. Art Rooney II might not have liked it, but the head coach could have insisted. The Steelers retooling the offense on the fly is not ideal. Pickett needs time to study and doesn’t seem like a perfect candidate to have an in-season reboot.
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Steelers former OC Bruce Arians and former Steelers QB Byron Leftwich
Any coach who could be brought in, like Byron Leftwich, would have to keep at least a portion of Canada’s playbook and the terminology to succeed in 2023. The question is whether any worthwhile offensive coordinator would agree to those conditions.
Pittsburgh desperately needed to win to even their 2023 home record at 1-1 and get an AFC North victory. Playoff teams win games they have no business winning. The Steelers offense needed to do more to win the game, but the defense and special teams came through. Pressley Harvin III had his best game as a professional, and the Steelers kicker, Chris Boswell, nailed two big field goals to go with the two defensive touchdowns.
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Steelers Matt Canada and Kenny Pickett
The Steelers won despite their offensive performance in Week 2, and Tomlin knows it. Pickett and Canada both have to do better against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday night. Canada is not going to change. The question is, will the Steelers? The answer to that question might be the difference between another .500 season and a playoff run.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you believe Tomlin has an answer to fix the offense, or is he at the mercy of whatever Canada comes up with in Week 3 for Pickett to try next? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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