MMQB: OLB T.J. Watt exits game in Steelers 17-26 loss to Raiders
The Pittsburgh Steelers came into this game on a high. After their shocking [23-16 upset win] over the Buffalo Bills--they returned home only to lose to the Las Vegas Raiders 17-26.
I also cover college football. If you watched the Alabama-Florida game yesterday, you would know that the strengths and weaknesses of the Crimson Tide and Steelers mirror each other.
The offensive line play was suspect. The defensive line lacked depth while the team’s secondary is inconsistent.
Steelers injuries pile up
It didn’t help that the Steelers were injury-plagued before the game started--ILB Devin Bush (groin) and CB Joe Haden (groin) both were ruled inactive after being listed as “questionable” on the final injury report.
Pittsburgh lost NT Tyson Alualu to a right-leg injury midway via the first quarter--being hit with friendly fire all while 2x first-team All-Pro OLB T.J. Watt left with a groin injury midway via the 2nd quarter. If you’re doing the math, that’s 4 of 11 starters and 3 of your front 7.
The Steelers who were already playing without my 2020 PFWA 1st-team selection DE Stephon Tuitt--didn’t make things easier. That’s a total of 5 of 11 starters. No team can expect success with that many injuries to overcome. Yet, the “standard is the standard,” and yet those backups were unable to rise given the “opportunity.”
The Steelers defensive game-plan was as expected. Provide box-coverage on Raiders TE Darren Waller and play Cover-3 using FS Minkah Fitzpatrick as the chess piece. If you read my [4th and Goal preview] and play fantasy--you would’ve sat Waller.
Predicted stat line: 7 catches for 55 yards and 0 TDs.
Actual stat line: 5 catches for 65 yards and 0 TDs.
I also predicted that the combo of RB Kenyan Drake and RB Peyton Barber would produce next to nothing in the run-game:
Predicted stat line: 16 carries for 67 yards, 0 TDs.
Actual stat line: 20 carries for 41 yards, 0 TDs.
One would think the Steelers were dominating this game based on the Raiders offensive numbers but football is a team sport--Raiders QB Derek Carr shredded the Steelers secondary completing 28/37 for 382 yards and 2 touchdowns.
No one could cover. The second-level backers were spotty while rookie NB Tre Norwood was no match for WR Hunter Renfrow in the slot.
The team traded for ILB Joe Schobert to help ease the blow of ILB Robert Spillane’s suspect coverage skills but he was disappointing--to say the least.
Despite being one-dimensional as predicted, the Raiders simply won this game-- moving the chains with their aerial attack.
Then we have the Steelers offense. After sticking to the run game on the road Week 1, they neglected it Week 2:
RB Najee Harris: 10 carries for 38 rushing yards (3.8)
Total: 14 carries for 39 rushing yards (2.8) and 1 TD
QB Ben Roethlisberger didn’t fare any better:
27/40 for 295 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
WR Diontae Johnson & WR Chase Claypool produced 12 catches for 175 yards
Johnson: 9 catches for 105 yards (11.7)
Claypool: 3 catches for 70 yards (23.3)
Offensive line
OG Trai Turner (ejected) for spitting on a player | NFL fine TBD
Allowed 2 sacks and 10 QBH
Unable to move DL off their grass
2021 Steelers | BEAST receipts
0-2 ATS (-5.5)
1-1 o/u (46.5)
Bottom Line
The Steelers who dropped to .500 must now assess their current situation. Are they a team that is a serious playoff contender or are they fool’s gold? I fully anticipate the Steelers to get back on track as they face the divisional rival Cincinnati Bengals…time will tell.
BEASTwriter+ is subscription-based and FREE for the first month of the NFL season. Join our FREE newsletter to stay up to date on all things Steelers, by clicking link below: