This just in from Captain Obvious: the Pittsburgh Steelers could have played better against the Houston Texans in Week 4. The defense was terrible. Bobby Slowik did an excellent job of neutralizing TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith’s pass rush by counting on his linemen to get beat quickly with screens and other quick-hit plays. The offense was putrid, which is the kindest word to describe it that our editors will allow.
Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger
Steelers legendary quarterback recounts with shock and disgust critical blown call on 4th and 1 against Houston Texans in Week 4.
On Monday evening, Ben Roethlisberger and Spencer Te’o released Episode 37 of the Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast. Roethlisberger has not been hyper-critical of Matt Canada on his podcast in the past. The future Hall of Fame quarterback uses a passive-aggressive style to make points when he wants to hammer something home. He abandoned that style on Monday night's episode.
“It looked like that play that was a very basic play that they either ran before or could have run before,” Roethlisberger began. “Again, it’s all from an outside perspective, someone watching from home. I remember sitting there with my mouth open.”
The Steelers trailed 16-6 and were within range for Chris Boswell to kick a 51-yard field goal on fourth and one. A Boswell kick would have made it a one-score game. After initially lining up to go for it, the Steelers called a timeout to discuss their options. Most Steelers fans thought they might opt for the field goal or pick their best power run play. They were momentarily forgetting that Mike Tomlin and Canada were making the decision.
“They’re in the shotgun. They have to be trying to draw them offsides,” Roethlisberger continued.
“That’s probably not going to work, bud,” Te’o interjected. “Then they snap the ball.”
“Then you’re quarterback gets hurt,” Roethlisberger replied in a disgusted tone.
Steelers Incompetent Coaching In Houston Proves That Terry Bradshaw Was Right About Mike Tomlin
The sequence that led to one of the dumbest decisions of the Tomlin era is a complete failure of leadership. The offensive coordinator called a bad play, then Kenny Pickett failed to execute the play and found himself injured. Tomlin is paid to make decisions on the sideline and decided all this was a good idea during a timeout. Terry Bradshaw was probably chuckling in the Fox Studios, saying, 'told you so.'
Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger listens to his co-host Spencer Te'o echo the disappointment of Steelers fans after an embarrassing loss.
Roethlisberger usually does the heavy lifting when criticism is warranted. Episode 37 was a departure from the norm. The likable co-host, who rarely says anything negative, chimed in with his observation that echoes the sentiments of many in Steeler Nation.
“It is challenging as a fan to watch that,” Te’o concluded. “Especially after there seemed to be some promise in Week 3.”
Te'o, like many of us, is just a fan. He is lucky enough to be part of Roethlisberger's platform. The observation might be an overstatement. Most fans are eternal optimists and were probably still hoping for a crazy scenario to unfold at 23-6 where Pittsburgh could still win the game. The Texans had so little regard for Tomlin and the Steelers, they threw a bomb to Nico Collins and rubbed salt in the wound.
Associated Press
Steelers' Kenny Pickett fails to convert a critical 4th and 1 play and is injured in the process.
The Steelers have faced the Shanahan system for eight quarters in 2023 and have been outscored 60-13. The San Francisco 49ers were more talented than Pittsburgh in Week 1 and had a vastly superior scheme. The Steelers thought they were more talented than a very young Houston team and learned quickly that the same system in the hands of a rookie head coach was vastly superior to anything the Steelers had in their playbooks.
In what appears to be little more than torture for fans of the black and gold at this point, the Steelers have a chance to enter the bye 3-2 and in first place. All they have to do is beat the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Week 5. Pittsburgh versus Baltimore is usually a close game. Despite his knee injury, Pickett is rumored to have a chance to play in the game. It is precisely the kind of game that Tomlin has thrived on in the past.
NFL.com
If needed, Steelers owner Art Rooney II could step in and fire Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada, something that has been done in the past.
Art Rooney II and the national media will sing the praises of Tomlin if he pulls off a win after an ugly loss. It is the worst kind of trap game for Pittsburgh. It could result in Tomlin being allowed to escape sitting on what should be a red hot seat. If the Steelers win, they will be in first place in the AFC North. They will also book repeat tickets on a slow boat to another disappointing season under Tomlin.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Was your mouth wide open when the Steelers lined up in shotgun on fourth and one? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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