It was the Steelers' most embarrassing moment on offense, of which there were many.
Faced with a 3rd-and-8 on their own 13-yard line in the fourth quarter, Mitch Trubisky dumped the ball off to Najee Harris ... and gained two yards. It wasn't even a competitive play.
CBS analyst Charles Davis described what's ailing the Steelers perfectly.
"We say in this game on offense a lot, you take what the defense gives you. But when it's 3rd-and-8 and they give you five, that doesn't count. That doesn't work," he said. "If you're on offense, you can't just take what they give you when the situation doesn't dictate it. 3rd-and-8 you've got to get deeper in the sticks, find someone down field and have a shot at a 1st down."
Exactly! Much like last season, the Steelers seemingly aren't even trying to convert third downs.
Maybe Ben Roethlisberger's noodle arm wasn't the biggest problem with their offense in 2021. Perhaps it was the guy calling the plays.
Davis begged the Steelers to stretch the field on a 3rd-and-8 from the Patriots 33-yard line in third quarter; but instead, Trubisky dumped it off to Jaylen Warren.
No gain.
"You got big strong physical receivers who can make plays over the top—similar to the one [Nelson] Agholor made for New England to end the half," said Davis. "Give those guys an opportunity out in the open field."
After that sad play, the crowd starting chanting for Kenny Pickett.
"Not surprised," said Davis.
Right on.
