GREEN BAY, WI (93.7 The Fan) – It’s a Steelers roster without the ability to overcome mistakes. A couple of critical mistakes along with a potential huge officiating mistake doomed the Steelers in a 27-17 loss at Lambeau Field.
After scoring for the first time all year in the first quarter, on the opening possession no less on a perfect 45-yard TD from Ben Roethlisberger to Diontae Johnson. Then came the mistakes.
Aaron Rodgers with a touchdown run to tie it and on the ensuing possession, a strip sack of Ben Roethlisberger gave the Packers the ball at the Steelers 23-yard line. On a third and nine, Steelers allowed Rodgers too much time. The veteran found a crossing Randall Cobb, who beat Terrell Edmunds for a 23-yard touchdown.
Steelers driving on their next possession, Roethlisberger missed an open JuJu Smith-Schuster for a touchdown. It appeared Roethlisberger put too much heat on the throw just passed Smith-Schuster. Steelers settled for a field goal.
Some watching replays say Joe Haden wasn’t offsides, but the officials called it. The offsides call negated a 75-yard touchdown by Minkah Fitzpatrick after blocking a field goal and returning it for a score. Instead of a Steelers halftime lead, Crosby would make the next kick for a seven point Packers lead.
Roethlisberger missed JuJu again for a long gainer in the next series. That followed by a 20-yard punt by Pressley Harvin giving the Packers the ball at the Steelers 40.
Game nearly in doubt, but after Rodgers cashed in on the gift field position, Steelers went for it 4th and 4 from the Green Bay 32, throwing a similar play to the 4th and 10 against Cincinnati. A lateral pass to Najee Harris with no blockers in front.
Chris Wormley forces a fumble, recovered by TJ Watt. On a 4th and four from the Green Bay 37, Smith-Schuster with a false start. It’s 4th and 9 from the Green Bay 42, in the fourth quarter, down 17 points. Mike Tomlin punts it. It works out because the defense forces a three and out, but it could be categorized as ‘living in your fears’.
Steelers are back home for the next weeks to Denver and Seattle before the bye week.