PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was highlighted as the Steelers held a seven point lead in the second quarter, first and goal from the Washington one-yard line. Two failed Benny Snell runs, an incomplete pass to an offensive tackle and another Snell run for no gain later it was Washington football, the score still 7-0.
Game tied in the fourth quarter, the Steelers had to throw it on third and one from the Washington 28 and then after passing on a field goal attempt with a rookie, substitute kicker, Steelers went empty set and attempted a wheel route to rookie running back Anthony McFarland.
On fourth and one! Because they struggle to gain even one yard on the ground.
“We were down in the red area twice,” Tomlin said. “We went for it on fourth down and didn’t convert either. So possession down ball was heavy. We paid the consequences of failure in it. Such is life in our game.”
Such is life in this season, glossed over by many because the team still found a way to win,
“If I had those answers, we wouldn’t have issues,” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger about short yardage. “I don’t know. It’s frustrating. We need to be better.”
“Right now, we’re not great on offense. We’re not bad. I’d say we’re a little about average. B, B-minus right now. So, there’s plenty of room for improvement.”
Not just with a run game that managed 21 yards on 14 carries and is the third worst rushing offense in the NFL; this team also is the league leader in dropped passes. Number one in the NFL with 34 drops this year.
“I really don’t think there is anything we can work on, we just have to focus,” said receiver James Washington. “I feel like we are thinking about our next move instead of just catching the ball first. It just starts with the person. I know the group of guys we have that we will focus in.”
Washington also realizes they are leaving the other side of the ball hanging.
“We just have to be more efficient as an offense and just help our defense out,” Washington said. “Our defense plays lights out. We just have to match that intensity and play better as weeks go on.”
The 11-1 Steelers now play Sunday night at Buffalo.
“I’m excited about facing the adversity with this group and smiling in the face of it and preparing and getting ready for the next challenge,” Tomlin said.
“We can’t dwell on this loss, plenty of more ball to play,” Washington said.