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If the Pittsburgh Steelers need to establish a minimum of identity on offense, and some balance and consistency in either running or throwing the ball, it may require a quarterback change to do so. The extent of that offense with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm has been hushed up since last November, and there’s no reason to expect that to change at all during his season at 39.
The Steelers need to think about getting Big Ben down, sooner rather than later. This may be the only way to save something on this side of the ball, as so many groups of positions continue to languish and struggle. Having a QB at the end is just as much hit and being so restricted in your offense – they’ve amassed four touchdowns on offense all season; they’re averaging 4.4 yards per passing attempt until Sunday’s lopsided loss to the Bengals – behind a struggling line, it just doesn’t make sense.
This may sound crazy to some, and I’m not saying Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins are the answer to QB, but they have to start exploring whatever they can get out of the quarterback position before he’s too late. They need someone with more agility and mobility who might be able to extend a game or save time for the offense or at least provide some semblance of a threat executing play option concepts. who could help first-round pick Najee Harris finally see some room to run (the Steelers had a pathetic three yards a carry on Sunday).
Because that offense has been horribly broken since the middle of last season, and it’s only getting worse. Big Ben kind of attempted 21 passes for 92 yards in the first half. Many teams average more per race than they average per pass. It’s not even that shocking for this group anymore, especially since their reconfigured offensive line is in jeopardy and the running game clearly needs a boost. At this point, it could really only come from a schematic change in their approach, and maybe a quarterback who could take off and run with it, even if he’s not very efficient.
Roethlisberger is tossed around week after week and spins the ball over a ton. His interception as he tried to navigate the pocket, throwing it straight at linebacker Logan Wilson as he lost 10 in the third quarter, ended any chance of making it a ball game. It was his second choice of the game on an afternoon when the balls were often sailing high and drops were also a problem.
Bottom line, the Steelers have played eight games since their unbeaten streak was interrupted last December; they’re 2-6 in those games and have the worst rushing offense in the NFL. Roethlisberger is 238 for 375 in that span (63%) for 2,305 yards (just 6.15 yards per attempt), with 15 touchdown passes, stunning 11 interceptions and a low QB rating of 81.69.
The more he gets beaten up, the worse it will be. Something must change. We said in this space last December that the Steelers need a new starting quarterback, and pursuing a true upgrade is already problematic. The reality is, however, that at this point even going to one or the other backup could be a step forward.
The train of Mac Jones hype has stopped, I guess? What lousy football the Patriots continue to play as this rookie QB takes his pieces.
I was far from this team. They are not special in any way, the post-Tom Brady era is not going well for Bill Belichick and I remain overall unimpressed with this group. The defense is not formidable in all respects and it is incredibly limited in attack. Too bad for Foxboro being a kind of fortress; the Pats were punished by the Dolphins and Saints already at home and struggled to really put the humble Jets aside despite Zach Wilson handing the ball to them four times.
Despite all the talk that Jones was superior to other kid’s QBs in his decision making, he certainly threw some jump ball on Sunday and looked genuinely nervous about the pressure from the Saints. They had 68 clean yards on the two-minute first-half warning, trailing by several scores and effectively hopeless in a game in which the rookie QB was selected three times. The offensive line hasn’t been good, they don’t lead the ball with the power and efficiency of a year ago (when they weren’t world batsmen by any means but had Cam to open things up) and Jones led them with 28 rushing yards. six brought against the Saints. Weft.
In the long run, he’ll probably be fine, I guess. But, continuing a trend here, are you going to tell me that this offense would be worse with an athlete like Cam Newton at the helm? What happened to this accelerated passing game when they were spending all that money on receivers and tight ends? The trio of Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith and Nelson Agholor combined for a grand total of 45 catches for 290 yards (6.44 yards per catch!) And a touchdown reception in three football games. That’s three free agents across nine combined men’s sets. It’s horrible. The trio had eight catches for 57 TOTAL yards on Sunday.
The Pats couldn’t get 50 rushing yards as a team. Good luck with that. I thought it was a wild card team. I was probably far from it.
Brown’s Drops undermine Jackson’s top game
Hollywood’s breakout season Brown derailed Sunday with a flurry of drops in which he repeatedly looked away from the ball. He dropped two balls for huge wins on the same drive, dropped a safe TD in the back of the end zone and looked lost. His mistakes kept the Lions in the game and undermined the superior play of his best friend quarterback Lamar Jackson, who continued to shine in the pocket, often under duress.
Brown had been used differently this season, doing a lot of his damage in RPOs and quick hitters, getting YAC. The read zone wasn’t there in Detroit and Brown’s tendency to drop balls deep or handle the ball awkwardly picked up as the Lions got stuck in this game. He needs a rebound game in Denver.
The Ravens stole a win when officials canceled a game call delay, allowing Justin Tucker to make history with a 66-yard field goal at the end of the time limit. But there are important questions to ask. Alejandro Villanueva looks like GM Eric DeCosta’s latest big acquisition to have major bust potential, as he sometimes seems lost in that pattern, having to block for a deft QB extending the games. The team lacked rush, again, unless defensive coordinator Wink Martindale brought in a heavy blitz, and their running back injuries and offensive line issues led to a much more rambling rush play. that we haven’t seen in years.
The options were only really present in the victory against the Chiefs, but Sunday in Detroit, they never gave anything; it is essential to find a rotation of the ball carriers and a division of labor.
Chargers first-year coach proves his worth
Hats off to rookie coach Brandon Staley, who pulled in a fourth and 4 that could have helped the Chargers sideline the game late in the first half (or at least move up from 21) to hold on to his approach. Staley had a good plan for Patrick Mahomes, who got run over and frustrated some. And despite a procedural violation nullifying a 30-yard gain on that fourth and 4, he sent Justin Herbert to continue converting critical fourth downs, including a fourth and 9 that cemented the game.
Herbert is already generational and the Chargers should be 3-0, frankly. While I’m amazed why Staley didn’t bleed the clock and chip at the last second, rather than scoring and giving Mahomes at least one hit on a Hail Mary, it turns out. already very advanced compared to much of this class of rookie coaches.
More Week 3 Insider Notes
- Daniel Jones is better than I expected, but the Giants are done and this coaching staff continues to make squeaky decisions. This kid just ran all over the WFT defense 10 days ago, but on a long rest on a day you don’t have any infractions you don’t call more QB options to make his life harder for him. Atlanta’s struggling defense? What am I forgetting here? They already face off with their first-round pick and their big free agent receiving a signing. They’ve been a mess for a while and show no signs of cleaning up no matter what Joe Judge mumbles…
- The Bengals’ defense is as enhanced as any unit in the NFL. I buy them as being, at the very least, solid. Zac Taylor continues to stick with a balanced attack and they dug the Steelers to the ground. I don’t really like the offensive line in passing protection, but they can improve some. They are on their way back to respectability if they can keep Joe Burrow healthy …
- The Bears offense is laughable at this point. Poor Justin Fields …
- The Jags were outscored 91-53 in Urban Meyer’s first three games. Hmm …
- Like how the Browns folded OBJ in their offense after returning from ACL surgery. The roads seemed crisp as he came back into the fold …
- Taysom Hill was very effective in this Wildcat type look. Helped grab the Saints’ running game and move the ball into the red zone. I had a feeling the Saints would bounce back in New England. After all they have been, and how long they have been away from New Orleans, the work of the players and coaches there is to be applauded.
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