The Steelers may have won last night, getting back to .500 but Fan Steelers insider Ed Bouchette of The Athletic is feeling worse about this team.
“That was as hollow a victory as I’ve seen by a Steelers team in a while,” said Bouchette. “You know they couldn’t run, they couldn’t stop the run, they made Geno (Smith) look a little like Russell Wilson in the second half, actually Geno had better pass rating than Ben (Roethlisberger).
Up 14-0 going into the third quarter, The Steelers defense allowed the Seahawks to come back, but thanks to T.J. Watt’s overtime sacks, the Steelers were able to hold on
Smith completed 23 of 32 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown. He had a passer rating of 99.6.
Roethlisberger went 29 for 40 for 229 yards and one touchdown. His rating was 94.7.
When it comes to the run game, the Steelers defense gave up 144 yards on the ground, with 101 of those coming from backup RB Alex Collins.
“They’re going to have to stop the run,” Bouchette said if the Steelers want to even think about the playoffs.
Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt had great games against Seattle with Alex Highsmith playing well too, but other than picking up Watt’s strip sack, Devin Bush has been doing very little on the field.
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“I didn’t think he played well at all,” said Bouchette.
Bouchette adds that the improved play the Steelers offensive line showed against Denver last week just wasn’t there on Sunday night.
In addition, Roethlisberger didn’t improve on his performance on Sunday night and kind of just floated along.
“Ben this weekend did not do anything to make you say ‘Ben is back’,” said Fan Morning Show host Chris Mack.
Colin Dunlap adds he doesn’t see Roethlisberger taking over and winning games for the Steelers but rather just don’t lose the game and make the right decisions.