The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a bounce-back win over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, but that didn’t happen. The Steelers had many chances, but it just wasn’t their game. A banged-up secondary and team had the challenge of slowing down Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, and it didn’t meet it. In the Ravens' 34-17 victory over the Steelers, Pittsburgh's defense didn’t perform up to its expectations.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' TJ Watt goes to sack Ravens' Lamar Jackson during a home game in Pittsburgh.
After the loss, Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about his defense’s missed assignments and tackling issues, and he gave a very direct answer about it. Tomlin didn’t mince words, stating bluntly that execution was the root of the problem. While injuries have certainly piled up for the Steelers, Tomlin emphasized that every player on the field is expected to deliver, regardless of the circumstances.
The Ravens exploited the Steelers' weaknesses all game, with Jackson picking apart the secondary and Baltimore's rushing attack, led by Derrick Henry, finding consistent success against the Pittsburgh front seven. Tomlin admitted he is concerned about his defense missing tackles for two straight weeks in a row.
"It’s concerning certainly," Tomlin told the Pittsburgh media after the loss to the Ravens. "We have to be better. Back to the lab."
Offensively, the Steelers struggled to capitalize on key opportunities. Russell Wilson failed to find a consistent rhythm, and costly turnovers killed any momentum the team tried to build. The wide receivers once again failed to make life easier for their quarterback, and the running game couldn’t provide the spark the team desperately needed.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson boards the team plane to Baltimore wearing a bird hunting jacket.
With this loss, the Steelers not only face mounting pressure to rebound but also must address their growing list of issues before heading into their next matchup in four days on Christmas Day against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Steelers Are Getting Completely Destroyed By The Injury Bug
The most obvious issue for the Steelers is the absence of their star wide receiver, George Pickens. However, that’s on the offensive side of the ball. The real problem lies with the defense, which has looked outmatched against two of the league's top offenses. While injuries are a legitimate concern, they can only excuse so much. Joey Porter Jr. exited the game with an injury, and Donte Jackson was sidelined entirely as he continues to deal with lingering health issues.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. getting the home crowd hype at Acrisure Stadium in Week 5 of 2023 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Adding to the challenge, one of the most critical pieces of the Steelers' defense, DeShon Elliott, missed yet another game. His absence has been glaring, as his impact and leadership are vital to the unit's success. Without him, the secondary struggled to contain the Ravens' offense, and the Steelers' defense as a whole failed to rise to the occasion. Despite having stars like TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, their presence wasn’t enough to slow down Baltimore's relentless attack.
Injuries undoubtedly played a significant role in the loss, but the overall effort from the defense was still disappointing. The next man up mentality is a core principle in the NFL, and Pittsburgh simply didn’t meet that standard. As the issues continue to pile up, concern is growing not only among fans but also within the mind of Tomlin. The Steelers will look to get their momentum back against the Chiefs on little rest once again.
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