RyanC883

The Defense was good in the first half, but "well," I think is too much praise, IMO. 4 new offensive lineman and one sack?? Too many 1st downs in the 2nd half when you must get the Steelers off the field. Lots of quotes by defensive players such as Hyde regarding their subpar play down the stretch. I also agree this game was a lot of coaching mistakes, I agree with 80%. Mostly Daboll and McD, then you have uncharacteristically poor performances from Allen, really bad OL play, and Wallace getting abused.

I'd shake this off as a "bad day" for almost everyone but Daboll. Daboll needs a more balanced approach, and this isn't happening, and he appears to be too stubborn to realize the need for it.

Singletary and Moss both. Lets activate them. I can't think of another team that gives the RB the ball less on a continual basis.

no one is panicking. I think some are wondering how we are a "better" team this year (what is needed to remain competitive in the NFL), when we did nothing with our suspect OL, or CB2 in the offseason, besides draft a few players later in the draft. Hopefully there is some in-season adjustment that can be made to the OL. The "it was the Steelers" is not much comfort when: (a) KC destroyed our OL, and (b) there are other great defenses in the NFL waiting to feast on this OL. In terms of Wallace, I'm generally a fan, but he has terrible games like yesterday from time to time. I think we need a more reliable game in and game out CB2. Again, not panicking, but discussing.

when Allen ran onto the field after the long kick return to start the game he was making the "quiet down" gesture to the fans. No one paid attention. He is clearly too hyped. It impacts not only his throwing ability (air mailing balls that should be TDs to Sanders yesterday), but also his decision making (not completing progressions and not noticing open WRs). The solution is twofold: quiet on offense, and Josh perhaps see a sports psychologist to calm down. no doubt the O-line is an issue, but Josh had some bad plays all of his own. They seem to be two independent issues to be solved.

Great points, I agree. Although you'd like to see a vet defense not "press" so much. And that White coverage play to Claypool? Claypool is a beast. I do wish White turned his head around, I think he had a better chance of knocking the ball away, but then again, if he misses, Claypool is gone. Like you said, great play by PIT there.

well, this article agrees with the OPs premise that "Davis was vastly underused and Allen needs to look his way more often." Bills report card: Offensive line, play-calls a mess against Steelers (democratandchronicle.com) Sanders is also good, no clue why Allen was so bad yesterday, and I'm thinking he needs to see a sports psychologist about playing in front of crowds.

Agree, they were not the issue, but giving up that many first downs and yards is an issue. (eats clock when your offense needs the ball). The D was good in the first half, what happened. Why so many first down conversions for PIT?

I don't think the OP is overreacting to one game. I think there are several suggestions, including the OPs. Others include running the ball more, we appear to be better at run blocking, and it's easier to block when the D does not know what you're doing. It does appear we will need to fix the OL with in-roster moves. Our rookies luckily look like they can play, so lets get the best 5 lineman out there.

I thought it was bad, but it was like 2 different halves. Per NFL.com, "The Steelers scored 23 points after trailing 10-0 at halftime. On their last four drives, they generated 231 yards and 13 first downs after opening the game with 22 yards and three first downs on their first 14 plays (6 drives)." I have no idea, wondering what everyone else thinks. The Steelers are not an elite offense by any means (Ben did not hit anyone over 20 air yards), and they started 4 new offensive lineman. As much as Daboll is rightfully taking flack for his game planning, what happened to the D?

they lost two big contributors from their secondary in Nelson and Hilton. They are not elite back there yet. Lets see what other teams do.

yeah, that is funny actually. I was arguing against the win-loss metric there, but yeah, I see how that comes across as a discombobulated argument. I think we actually agree, this offense needs more balance to sustain long term success. So far, I'm not seeing it. It's like Daboll thinks he can change the NFL by abandoning RBs. You can't--not long term. I can tell you that in PGH, people think he is awful in-game. I'd disagree, but he makes puzzling TO calls sometimes.

Answer to highlighted portion: (1) calling someone a "troll." Good teams do have issues against elite D's, most adjust, Daboll trots out the same pass crazy offense and expects different results (see below, with facts for you). The Tenn circumstances should have impacted Tenn, not us. They were the ones without practice. In terms of KC, our WR's were banged up, and we proceeded to try to throw the ball on KC all game (9 rushing attempts by running backs). Not a great plan by Daboll. Baltimore: another 9 rushing attempts by RB's. Indy: 10 rushing attempts by RB's, 11 by Josh Allen. I could prob go back further. The total abandonment of the running game (not JA scrambles) is a recipe for disaster against D's and DCs who can stop the pass, particularly the more often you do it. Good teams that put up numbers against good defenses generally are more balanced. Note that Tampa had 28 RB rushing attempts against KC, despite having the arguable GOAT at QB, and a bevy of great receiving options.

your talking win-loss, I'm talking offensive game play. Pittsburgh: bad team when we played them, they coasted to 11-1 on cupcakes, then imploded. LA: That was a good offensive game v. a good defensive team. SF was banged up I believe when we played them. Indy, again, not a great offensive game. Balt: Same, not good on offense. AZ: We lost. My point is, Daboll's playcalling fails at important times against good teams. The one dimensional offensive stuff is not sustainable. Agree, or no. Really doesn't matter to me if you do or not.

you are clearly the one trolling here, and are the one who is trying to make this personal. I said they had problems with those defenses, and they did. You have done nothing to refute those arguments (in fact, in 2 of those games Allen was the leading rusher, not a sustainable formula). And how a defense is ranked overall is not an indicator of where it is when we are playing them. I.E. the 49ers were banged up last year when we played them, and Pitt was on a decline that anyone could see, what would have happened if we had PIT week one last year?? And we lost to KC and Tenn in the regular season, in EMBARASSING fashion. And what words did I "put in your mouth". I asked if your position was that Daboll was a good playcaller, particularly in important games against good teams. (the RAMS, who traded their QB, and a Tua led Dolphins team appear to be your counterargument here). They have won a total of 2 playoff games, neither in dominant fashion, and then got brutally exposed in the AFC Championship game, and again today. 1. Tampa, who subsequently destroyed KC, would disagree. 2. We were embarrassed by KC. Our offense was awful, and we got no where near Mahomes. 3. Tenn had COVID issues, that should have been the unprepared team. As I recall, they didn't even practice much before the game. 4. Our D was okay against a Balt, offense was passable.

Singletary averaged 7.7 yards per carry. Running, or screens, also take some heat off the pass rush, giving Allen more time. Our OL is also better at run blocking, and not having them pass block all game is helpful. he did seem to be uncharacteristically staring down certain routes. I wasn't aware we had that many guys open. That's maddening, and something you'd think Daboll would point out in-game?

ok, then in important games. Did they not choke against KC twice?. They did. Also awful against Baltimore last year in the playoffs, and against Tenn in the regular season. Come out against a great PIT defense today (that was missing one of it's best players in Tuitt, btw) and again were awful. And I'm not trolling, are you going to be here all week like the offense is fine and Daboll is a good play caller? Is that your position?

Daboll. 100%. Might be the worst OC in the league. He can put up crazy numbers against average D's, but totally flops against great Ds. It's a problem. We played a top 3 D today and got spanked with our one dimensional offense. I think Gabe is a great WR, btw, who could take over a game. Just hard to be running routes all game and taking over when the d knows your doing it. Josh did looked stressed. Dude needs to see a sports psychologist ASAP. NHL goalies do this I believe, NFL QBs should. He should also be forced to watch what calling running plays does for the offense. I agree brining Williams back was a great move by Bean. But Ford is not developing, neither is Boettger. It was more "hope" for a better OL outcome this year. I also blame part of the OLs issues on the lack of TE passing and running the ball. Pass blocking all game and having the DL know what your doing gives it an advantage.

I think the Steelers have something equally as awful. I'm not sure why we have this. Couldn't they sell tickets where these guys sit?

well, he might be if he can't reign in the OC and make better in game decisions. This is turning into a 90's Dolphins/Marvin Lewis Bengals situation. Beat average teams, lose to anyone playing at an elite level.

Daboll and McD appear to have their "off days" against elite D's. Trend is horrid.

yeah, Daboll will suddenly be a "genius" again according to the media and anyone who hasn't watched him against actually good D's.

as we should be. CLE and KC both look better coached and more balanced. Plus KC is missing a few key players.

agree. The NFL officiating is generally bad all around, IMO. Too many missed calls everywhere and total lack of consistency as to what gets and does not get called. I'm fearing we will become, at best, those 90s Dolphins.

MCD should be on a short leash this year. His decisions on who to sit and play are bizarre, his in-game management is bizarre, and letting Daboll call horrid plays is ridiculous. Sit your #2 back for a numbers game for ST. WTF. You need a balanced offense. So if Singletary got hurt is Brieda and Jones? I'd say we got lessons, but it's like Daboll and McD NEVER LEARN. A lot of these are the same lessons from last season, esp. the KC game.