field goal attempt on last drive

Arians was on the Zach and Jack show this morning and he says they were probably going to run a fake on that field goal attempt.

my question is how did they let the clock run down? worst case scenario is take your time out and try a field goal or punt.

that was a terrible job of clock management.

 

It was bad coaching, yet again. We've had too many games with bad coaching in the last 5 or so years. It's getting ridiculous. On that 3rd down, they should have ran the damn ball. They had success running the ball all game long, they just didn't use it enough. It was 3rd and 4, they should have run the ball, and then if they didn't get the 1st down, they could have had the option to go for it on 4th down depending on distance. Instead they throw the stupid ball and end up throwing the game away. I'm so sick of Bruce Arians and his pass happy offence. Yes, we have a ton of talented WR's, but what has that done for us? It's not like we're lighting up the score sheet. We put up a ton of yards but fail in the red zone. With a running game, this crap wouldn't be happening. It's called balance!

 

I just dont get how not ONE person realized that the clock was about to run out....NONE of the players and NONE of the coaches were watching the clock??? Thats over 50 people..WHAT were they watching?

 

Sorry, but I won't believe that the delay of game wasn't deliberate. We played afraid on the final offensive drive (as we have unfortunately done many times before), and it bit us again (as it has unfortunately done many times before). If Tomlin sends the punt team out from the 29, it would look bad (a complete vote of no confidence in Suisham, whether deserved or not, is not very inspiring when the game is on the line). From the 34, it just makes good sense. When we lost to the Ravens last year, we were pinned deep in our own end with a 4-point lead needing one first down to ensure the victory. Instead, we plunged into the line 3 times and punted because 'we were afraid' something bad might happen deep in our own end. We punted to Baltimore from our end zone with 2 minutes left and, according to Tomlin, he'd have done the same thing again.

Punting in that situation would have been a good strategy with 45 seconds left. With 2:30, it made no sense. Coach knew what he was doing....it was just defeatist and uninspiring.....

 

I agree...terrible clock management. We should have attempted the FG and if Suisham misses then we play defense and try to hold them. If they have no faith in Suisham to kick a 46 yard Fg, then get rid of him and find someone you can put some faith in. 95% of the other teams in the NFL would have attempted that FG...and something is wrong with those in the remaining 5%...including us.

Also...the fake would have never worked. I saw it coming and so did the Ravens. Suisham and Kapinos had a 3 minute conversation walking out on the field and while lining up. Once again...poor coaching.

 

Unfortunately Ben threw to David Johnson for a drop and Mewelde Moore who wasn't looking. If he had knelt on the ball he would have done more to help the Steelers win. They should have handed it off.

 

Yep.Steeler Coaching staff accountable for this loss.

 

I feared that Suisham was going to cost us a game this year and he proved me right. Any other team would have lined up for a 47 yard FG. With us, we have to debate for 2 minutes and then decided to go with a fake FG, which had about a .5% success rate.

 

If this is true, I think it is actually quite brilliant, but does not make up for the previous three bonehead plays. A 47 yard field goal is iffy in that direction in Heinz field. If you make it, the Ravens have a kickoff return and a lot of time on the clock, and a Ravens TD ties it. If you miss it, the Ravens have great field position in mid-field, with plenty of time. Sending the unit out there with instructions to check out the coverage and, if it looks a certain way, try a fake field goal, gives you a shot to ice the game. Taking a delay of game penalty if the coverage does not look good gives your punter 5 more yards to have a better chance to pin them deep. The strategy worked - pinned them on the 8 yard line. On the previous series the D held them to 3 and out. So I like the risk of not trying the field goal - I think it increases the odds of winning the game outright. Who would predict the defense would be so bad?

Sounded like a pretty good decision to me. Now why wasn't the thinking that clear on the first three plays of that series?

 

I agree with this, though I think Tomlin has often been much more daring in situations before. Perhaps there's a bit of overthinking the game going on with the Steeler's sideline at this point.

I don't think we should forget as well that the execution of the last few plays beforehand was poor. Moore didn't turn around in time (though it was a very dubious decision to throw to him - think Ben misread the defense there). Johnson didn't make the catch. When you make those mental errors, you can't expect to win against the Ravens.

 

the drop by Johnson was a killer. by no means did that cost them the game, but that would have been an east 5 to 8 yard reception and then you have 2 and short instead of 2 and 10.

 

I thought coach said they were going to try to draw them offsides and that they were never going to kick the FG

 

yes...I saw it....as I mentioned ealier in the thread...when I saw them talking...I figured a fake was coming...and if I saw it...you can bet the Ravens did too. you gotta kick the FG there and take your chances on defense if you miss.