Steelers Pummeled by Texans, 30-6

After that football game, I have never felt lower as a Steelers fan. I’m sure I speak for all the yinzers when I say that this is no longer the Steelers team that I have come to love. The black and gold were beaten at every level of the game by a rookie coach, a rookie QB, and a patchwork offensive line.

I’ll start by stating that I was disappointed in the defense. Mike Tomlin and company have prided themselves on stout defenses, yet all day Sunday they were cut up in the run game. Dameon Pierce, who has not had a 40 yard game all season, racked up 81 of the Texans combined 139 rushing yards on this Steelers defense. Texans Rookie QB CJ Stroud looked like a 10 year veteran, slinging it around the yard all day with 306 yards and two touchdowns. The Texans O-line was completely dismantled due to injuries, and yet the Steelers defense was unable to account for a single sack and had no answers for the Texans game plan. In this all-around disappointment, it seemed clear that the defense was unprepared. 

Somehow, even when the defense is bad, the offense finds a way to be worse. Matt Canada was not able to build on any of the momentum that we saw in the Sunday night game against the Raiders. The running game struggled yet again to get on track despite Najee Harris posting a season high 71 yards on 14 carries (5.1 YPC). Passing concepts never really came together and the offensive line was getting blown off the ball. To add insult to injury (literally), Kenny Pickett’s near future is in question after he hobbled off the field after a 4th & 1 play where he lined up in the shotgun on a bewildering crunch time play call. Injury status aside, Pickett still appears to be struggling with decision making and going through his progressions. I’m no offensive coordinator, but the play calling has to be better. Bobby Slowik, Offensive Coordinator for the Texans, has never called plays at any level until this season, and yet he was able to put up 30 points and 451 yards of offense to the Steelers 225. This team needs a change desperately. 

Sunday’s loss leaves yinzers with a lot of questions that need to be answered. Who knows what the future holds for Kenny Pickett and Matt Canada. With a crucial matchup against the Ravens looming next Sunday, we will likely see backup QB Mitch Trubisky and the Steelers try to put a better product on the field.

If not, it’s going to be a very long bye week in Pittsburgh and Mike Tomlin may find himself next to Matt Canada on the hot seat.