The Pittsburgh Steelers had yet another embarrassing and bone-crushing loss in Week 14 of the 2023 NFL season. This time, it came at the hands of the New England Patriots. The Patriots came into the game with just two victories on the year and were fighting for one of the top picks in the upcoming draft, but managed to beat the Steelers, 21-18. The Steelers were without Kenny Pickett due to his ankle injury, and Mitch Trubisky got the start. Head Coach Mike Tomlin was critical of Trubisky's performance, especially in the first half.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mitch Trubisky warms up before a 2023 match-up with the Patriots
Steelers' Tomlin Critical Of Trubisky's Performance
Trubisky made his first start of 2023 against New England, and he got off to a rough start. He threw an interception on the Steelers first drive of the game that was called back due to a penalty on the defense, but he made up for it by throwing a second pick later that stuck and led to the Patriots second touchdown of the game. The interception set the Patriots up deep in Steelers territory, and New England quickly took advantage. Tomlin discussed this play and Trubisky's overall start to the game in his postgame press conference.
"I thought he got better as the game went on. It obviously wasn't the type of start we needed. They were really good on possession downs, their collective. The things they threw at him and us, but I thought he improved as the game went on."
Trubisky's interception was ugly, to say the least. The ball had too much air under it and it was an easy play to make for Jabrill Peppers, who also had a decent return to set the Patriots up nicely. The offense could not get anything going for the majority of the first half, and it ultimately put them behind for the remainder of the contest. Trubisky was out-dueled by the Patriots' Bailey Zappe, who had three touchdowns in the first half in only his fourth career start.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mitch Trubisky runs the ball during a 21-18 loss against the Patriots
Trubisky and the offense had such a horrific first half that, at one point, the stadium erupted with fans chanting for Mason Rudolph to come into the game, who has had his own share of bad performances at quarterback for Pittsburgh. Eventually Trubisky and the offense found some momentum, when he found Diontae Johnson for a 25-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The Steelers slowly began to crawl back into the game, but couldn't get the job done. Tomlin spoke more about what was the main cause for the Steelers loss.
"Thought the significant difference was they got seven points off of their turnover on the short field. We got zero off of ours. So that's the difference in the game, and usually it is, the turnover component and your ability to support each other on the other side. That was the difference in the game in terms of the outcome."
Tomlin was clearly frustrated with the Trubisky interception that put New England in great position to score. He also couldn't have been pleased with Trubisky and the offense not being able to capitalize when they were set up with a short field after Mykal Walker picked off Zappe in the second half. They came away with zero points after being set up nicely by the defense.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mitch Trubisky in a game against the Patriots
The Steelers started their drive after the Walker interception at New England's 16-yard line and were unable to gain a first down. On third-and-nine, Trubisky scrambled for seven yards and slid before the first down marker, making it a fourth down for Pittsburgh. The Steelers would end up turning the ball over on downs, but had Trubisky shown some more effort on his run, and fought through some tacklers, they likely would have came away with some points.
What did you think of Trubisky's performance? Would you like to see him start again in Week 15, or do you think it would be better to see Rudolph have an opportunity? Let us know in the comments below!
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