BUFFALO (93.7 The Fan) – There was a stretch in three drives in the first half where the Bills went 193 yards in 107 seconds scoring three touchdowns. It was big plays that killed the Steelers in a 38-3 loss in Buffalo.
Mike Tomlin said they got ‘handled’.
Cam Heyward referred to it as an ass-kicking. It was all of that. But why so bad in allowing nearly 20 plays of 15 yards or more.
“A myriad of things-execution, not tackling, not using basic things that we practiced from training camp whether it’s staying inside, having a gap or using your hands,” said Steelers Captain Cam Heyward. “It’s all these things included. That ass-kicking we just took proves that.”
“There are a myriad of things-if it was one thing you would probably fix it,” Tomlin said. “Some of it was playmaking by them, some of is a lack of detail by us. Not good enough.”
There were a myriad of points scored by the Bills as a myriad of other Steelers gave their views on the lack of defensive execution.
“They had way too many plays downfield,” said safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. “We don’t usually do that as a secondary. A very unusual game for us. We take responsibility for it. We gave up big plays to a team that relies on big plays, that’s why the score was what it was.”
“They just came out fast,” said linebacker Myles Jack. “We pinned them down early, we had them deep. They made a couple of plays. We just didn’t answer, didn’t execute. When you play a team like that, a big play team, you either have to match the big plays or eliminate the big plays and try to make more than them. You have to give them credit.”
“They were able to make those contested one-on-one catches,” said defensive lineman Chris Wormley. “As a defensive line, we have to be better getting pressure on them. We thought we were prepared to be able to pressure them, but as the game showed. We couldn’t get to him.”
“They were able to smash-smash the run, win the one-on-one battles, being successful in the defensive battles,” said defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal. “Overall good game by those guys.”
“If there is anyone how said they had a great game, you are not searching hard enough,” Heyward said. “We all got to own this top to bottom. It’s a dark day. When you lose like that you can’t go running from it.”
Related
TJ Watt
Tomlin would not dispute a report by 93.7 The Fan, the Post-Gazette and ESPN that TJ Watt won’t be starting his window back from injured reserve this week. Adam Schefter reported he had knee surgery. Tomlin said when Watt is close to returning, they will have more details.
Injuries
The injury list continues to grow, even as Chase Claypool said they can’t use that as an excuse:
· Starting corner Cam Sutton left with a hamstring injury, he came into the game with a hamstring and groin injury.
· Corner Levi Wallace, who had an interception and was torched in the game, went into concussion protocol in the third quarter.
· Starting defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi left in the first half due to a back injury and didn’t return.
· Tight end Pat Freiermuth was crunched by a couple of defenders and went into concussion protocol.
Inactives
QB Mason Rudolph
CB Ahkello Witherspoon
S Terrell Edmunds
G Kendrick Green
DT Isaiahh Loudermilk
LB Mark Robinson
Up Next
Steelers return home on October 16 to face Tom Brady and the Buccaneers at 1p.