4th and 2 and we punt late in game

[Sword]

What are we doing? It’s 4th and 2, late in the game, we’re down by a ton, and we punt! Then we leave our star players in the game even though MT has clearly given up. Why risk their health at that point?
On top of that, we keep playing zone defense in short yardage situations against KC, and they’re roasting us every time. It’s beyond frustrating. The issues are so obvious, but the coaching staff refuses to adjust. When will this change?

[Northern_Blitz]

I don't think the punt was the worst thing. I thought it was worse last time it happened. This game was out of reach at that point.

I agree we should have pulled starters at that point because we'd made the decision that the game was over.

I think we keep playing zone because Porter is the only CB we have who's good at playing man. And he's out. 100% agree that we don't seem to have a secondary that can play zone either though.

This game reminded me of those games we'd play against the Pats where we'd seemingly not cover Gronk. It's infuriating because we're usually pretty good at taking away the opponent's best threat.

[Ernie]

If its out of reach.. then why not pull some of our best players? TJ was hurt last week with under 4 minutes left.. down multiple scores.

[NorthCoast]

FWIW, it meant little either way... pretty much a lost cause. And maybe Tomlin wanted to see his defense straighten themselves out because if they go into the playoffs playing the way they are it will be yet another embarrassing blowout:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2qBWRcc][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2qBWRcc]Screenshot 2024-12-26 065157[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/191750946@N04/]R W[/url], on Flickr

[feltdizz]

Game was over at that point.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

What are we doing? It’s 4th and 2, late in the game, we’re down by a ton, and we punt! Then we leave our star players in the game even though MT has clearly given up. Why risk their health at that point?
On top of that, we keep playing zone defense in short yardage situations against KC, and they’re roasting us every time. It’s beyond frustrating. The issues are so obvious, but the coaching staff refuses to adjust. When will this change?

To me, the much more curious call was going for it 4th & 15 on the 32 down 19 with 10:05 to go. You're down 3 scores and a FG makes it 16 points = 2 scores. Very difficult 2 scores needing 2 TDs with 2 pt converts, but is that worse than 4th and 15 and then 4th and 20 after a false start penalty?