Steelers' Mike Tomlin Detailed 2 Massive Regrets In Week 13 Vs Bengals: "Errors Like That Provide Focus And Agenda For Others"

The Pittsburgh Steelers got back in the win column in their Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. While the offense showed up scoring 44 points, Mike Tomlin still wasn't happy about how their special teams came to play in Cincinnati.

During Tomlin's press conference on Tuesday, he talked to the media about the Steelers' win over the Bengals. While he was happy that they got a divisional victory on the road, there were still components of the game that he wasn't pleased with, especially to start the game.

"I didn't like a couple of things that happened in the special teams game," said Tomlin. "I thought they had the field position component of it. Our kickoff unit didn't pin them back well enough. We differed and chose to kickoff, but I think they got the ball on the plus side of the thirty and when we make that decision, we're trying to fight for blades of grass and any yard you get on the opposite side of the thirty is an advantage for us and not so when you don't, and we need to get better in that area."

Not only was Tomlin not happy with the Bengals' starting with good field position to start the game, but he knows that the Steelers left three points on the field with poor blocking on a Chris Boswell 42-yard attempt in their first drive of the second half.

"And also we got a kick blocked. We can't allow anything to minimize the exploits and talents of Boz [Chris Boswell]," said Tomlin. "It's automatic and so we've got to sure up those things, in particular because when you have stuff on tape in the NFL, you better respond quickly appropriately in terms of minimizing it. Errors like that provide focus and agenda for others..."

Tomlin knows for the Steelers to make a push not only for the top seed in the AFC, but a deep playoff run, they need all of their units at their best. While the blocked field goal didn't play into a negative factor in the outcome, it could later down the road. With a kicker as automatic as Boswell has been this year, Tomlin knows that simple mistakes cannot jeopardize their field goal success, especially in late game situations.

Tomlin knows teams are going to try to exploit the same things that the Bengals did in Week 13. While it didn't cost them a win now, Tomlin will not take that chance when it comes to playoff time. With the Steelers wanting to give the defense as many advantages as possible, he knows that the kick coverage has to do their jobs better. 

The Steelers are looking to get their revenge this week as the Cleveland Browns will travel to Pittsburgh. While the Browns escaped with the victory during a blizzard on Thursday Night Football last week, the Steelers had every opportunity to leave Cleveland with a win. Tomlin is going to give his team the best chance to win and it starts with the special teams. 

While other players have their reasons to thrive against the Browns, Tomlin is going to be looking at how the special teams unit will respond after a disappointing showing the week before.

Steelers Will Not Allow The Same Mistakes To Happen Again On Special Teams 

It seems that Tomlin and special teams coordinator, Danny Smith, are already fixing the mistakes seen in Week 13. The Steelers want to not only continue to build their distance in the AFC North standings, but to gain some ground on the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in the AFC playoff picture. They will need to clean up the mistakes in the special teams game if they want to make a deep run and compete with the elites of the league. The Steelers will have their chance to prove their growth against the Browns and avenge their Thursday Night Football loss from Week 12.

What are your thoughts on the special teams mistakes against the Bengals? Do you think they will have those cleaned up before their game against the Browns? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

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