The Pittsburgh Steelers have slowly been falling apart throughout the late stretch of the 2024 season. The team suffered its third consecutive loss after being blown out at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. The game was close going into halftime as Pittsburgh trailed by just six points, but the game quickly got out of hand in the second half. The offense for the Steelers was inconsistent and turned the ball over twice, while the defense had trouble getting Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense off of the field.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson scores a touchdown during a 2024 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs have consistently been the best team in the NFL over the last several years, and that has certainly been the case in 2024 as they moved to 15-1 after beating the Steelers. Pittsburgh struggled to contain Mahomes, especially when he was targeting Travis Kelce.
The tight end caught eight passes for 84 yards and a touchdown, and he is notorious for destroying zone defensive schemes. Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke about this during his post game press conference, while seemingly trashing his own game plan.
"You know in some of the instances that [Kelce] was open we were in zone." Tomlin said. "Give credit to them and Mahomes for diagnosing coverages. We were spinning the dial. We were playing some man, some zone, we were pressuring some. Most of the instances that he caught the ball, which is their norm, he is a zone-killer, when in zone he gets the ball, and a lot of those instances we were in zone."
Mahomes and Kelce have been one of the top duos in the league since Mahomes took over the starting job during the 2018 season. The two are often praised for their ability to go off-script and find open spaces in zone, which highlights the pair's chemistry. Tomlin admitted that this was their strong suit, yet still decided to play enough zone for Kelce to torch the defense, which could be considered coaching malpractice.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin on the sidelines during a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024.
Kelce and Mahomes had their way with Pittsburgh's defense. Most of the veteran tight end's catches came on crucial possession downs where the Steelers appeared to be in zone. There is no reason to be in a zone defense in short yardage situations, especially against the most lethal duo in the NFL.
This is a significant reason that the game unfolded in the way that it did, along with Pittsburgh losing the turnover battle. This is the third straight game that the defense seemed to be out-played, and that needs to change as the playoffs approach.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a snowy game in Cleveland in 2024.
Steelers' Defense Must Play To Its Strengths During Tough Games
Pittsburgh has one of the best pass rushes in the league, and a way to help the pass rush is by playing man. If defenders in the secondary are able to cover up targets in the passing game, it makes the decision more difficult for a quarterback when it comes to throwing the ball. This gives pass rushers more time to get to the quarterback, which is something the Steelers failed to do against the Chiefs on Wednesday.
The Steelers will host the Cincinnati Bengals to end the regular season, and it is important that the team gets a victory to boost its confidence going into the playoffs. A key part in securing that victory will be the defense playing like they are used to.
What do you think about Tomlin's comments? Let us know in the comments below!
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