Indianapolis (final thought)
What is done, is done. The Steelers have made their bed to this point. Significant mistakes that the Steelers have relied on NOT to make were their undoing Saturday in Indianapolis. Najee Harris had only 1 lost fumble in his career before Saturday. Chris Boswell was 100% on point after attempts on the season, and the defense had not given up that many rushing yards in nearly 2 months. These, coupled with continued lack of ball security at the QB position led to the result in Indianapolis. The Steelers played beneath Indy, and more importantly, beneath themselves.
I know there will be a lot of negativity this week aimed at the coaching staff, and some of that is deserved; however, players play football. The players on this team currently are playing subpar football.
The Steelers now have a very narrow road in front of them: despite a few crazy (unlikely) scenarios, the Steelers need to win their remaining 3 games to make the playoffs. Can they do that? Yes. Will they do that: we shall see.
Indianapolis (Immediate Thoughts)
Pittsburgh Steeler fans: This feels bad. I get it. I am searching for answers just as much as the rest of you are at this point. The Steelers jumped out to a 13 point lead in Indy, only to watch the Colts score 30 unanswered to win 30-13. It is very clear that the Steeler’s arrow has taken a significant turn since Kenny Pickett injury. The Steelers were 7-4, on the 1 yard line in a 3-3 game at home. Kenny got hurt and its all seemed to unravel on both sides of the ball. This game continued to decimate the Steelers as they lost 2 more players to injury and one to an ejection. The injury component of this season is starting to really have a huge impact on the Steelers. The bad news: the Steelers have now dropped out of the playoff picture. The good news: they still have 3 games to play. If they win all three, I think they are still in the playoffs.
I know this week will be filled with calls to fire Tomlin, trade the stars, blow the whole thing up. I am going to work hard to avoid that noise. I, personally, am going to work hard to enjoy my Christmas week and focus on the Steelers having time to turn it around. They are not mathematically eliminated. They have games to win. They are just going to have to do it.
Go Steelers.