Discussing Disaster in Houston

I'm not even sure where to begin to summarize the disaster that was the Steelers' loss in Houston today.

1. The defense failed miserably. The Texans went out there with a patchwork offensive line and lit the Steelers up. The entire interior defensive line was useless today. This was the sort of game they need Ogunjobi to step up and he was invisible. So was Adams. Loudermilk is a bust. Leal may be one, too, but he is miscast in his current role. This team relied way too much on Heyward staying healthy and it is costing them dearly.

Even worse, they seemed to quit after the failed fourth-and one. That can't happen.

2. Letting Sutton get away was a huge mistake. Signing Peterson to replace him made it even worse. As much as I like Khan, he blew it on that one. Peterson was terrible today. He blew his responsibility badly on that halfback option touchdown pass, which wasn't run well enough to fool a fifth grader. I understand he has lost a step, but that was the sort of mental error a veteran like him shouldn't make. Porter needs to start next week. Live with the mistakes. At least he has the ability to do the job. Peterson doesn't have that anymore, either.

4. The Texans outcoached the Steelers today. They had their players ready. They had a better plan on offense and defense. Despite a patchwork offensive line, they found ways to put Stroud in a position to succeed. The kid was great, but he had plenty of help. They also had just about everything the Steelers tried to do offensively diagnosed at the snap. They blew a few coverages, but overall, the Steelers failed to fool them at all and that put Pickett and the other skill players in terrible positions. The whole coaching staff failed, but Canada was thoroughly outclassed yet again.

5. Pickett doesn't trust his offensive line. That much is very clear. He is rushing decisions, which is why he missed Heyward in the third quarter and why he bailed on the fourth-and-one. Both times, he made decisions too early. Look at the lack of protection. He isn't entirely wrong to distrust them.

6. The Pickett injury could be a disaster in so many ways. First of all, this season is done. Any chance of the offense finding itself is done with Trubisky at quarterback. He's just not good enough for more than a game or two. More importantly, as I mentioned on other threads, they lose the opportunity to see what he can do with a full season. Even if the season fell apart, getting more clarity about him was crucial. Anyone who thinks they have seen enough to know one way or the other either made up their minds before his career started or they are rushing to an ill-informed judgment. Whatever you think I doubt the Steelers are going to want to give up on him if this is all they get to see in 2023.

6. Harris is the No. 1 running back. He proved it today. Despite poor play by the line in front of him much of the day, he was arguably the best player on the field for the Steelers. Warren had a couple of nice runs, but he also put the ball on the ground twice. He was lucky his knee barely touched the ground before it came out on the second one. He needs to be a big part of the offense, but Harris is the starter.

7. Fitzpatrick was mostly invisible. He missed a tackle on the long pass play before halftime, handing the Texans a field goal. He isn't making plays and that's a huge problem.

8. Highsmith and Watt didn't do nearly enough today. Sure, the Texans did some nice things to attack Watt, but he needs to find a way to beat those plays. Highsmith had a tackle getting his first NFL snaps and failed to dominate him. He also whiffed on a play he should have blown up in the backfield.

9. Pickens also played poorly. On the third-and-18, Pickett threw him a good ball and gave him an easy opportunity to convert it. Inexplicably, Pickens stopped and cut back, getting stopped short. That set up the disastrous fourth-and-one. He also failed to come up with three difficult catches, one of them in the end zone. For a guy who doesn't get separation, he needs to make those plays. He certainly doesn't need to be making gestures to blame his quarterback, as he did after the one in the end zone.

10. Tomlin said he's going to make changes, but I'm not sure what he can do. He might be forced to start Jones at tackle, anyway. Put Porter in at cornerback. Start Benton at nose tackle. Those are minor tweaks, really. I'm not sure how much they will help. Maybe bench Roberts, who blew up one play, but otherwise sucked.

We really have to see about the injuries to Pickett, Freiermuth, and Moore before any of that can be decided.

 

In other words…..

Houston we have a Problem.

 

A fish rots from the head first! I am 100% on board with a Tomlin exit!!! Canada should not be allowed to scrub cleats in the NFL. Tomlin is a soft, weak, loudmouth who does not have the balls to make hard decisions. OH! He can turn a phrase all fancy and ****, but he CANNOT coach! In fact, the entire franchise has become a soft, weak PC version of what they once were. As I ease into retirement, I have less and less use for the NFL on any level. Today just makes me want to trade all my jerseys in for Harley parts. **** PA! I aint been there in 2 dozen years anyway. Peace out all you fine folks! (Tomlin excepted. He a *****!)

 

I couldnt see the game but I was following the GDT. All 22 breakdowns are starting to come out today but all I am seeing is the fixation on the offense.

What is scary is the defense against a rookie QB. How do you not come up with things that can confuse the kid.

Unless CJ Stroud will be the second coming of Dan Marino to be effective this early... I cant get over him throwing for 300+ yards and the D giving up 100+ yards on the ground.

If the DC doesnt fix this he will be retired by the team. Gives me more appreciation on Heyward's play every time he is not out there ...including last year.