It came down to a lucky bounce off a helmet!

[Steel Maniac]

When does Tomlin take the bull by the horns and sit down with Haley and demand that he call better plays that cater to the strengths of Bryant and the other pass catchers on the team other then AB? We have to be more diversified in the passing game. We are living on borrowed time the way the offense is functioning right now.

[phillyesq]

I don’t know how lucky it was...it was lucky that the DB failed to intercept it, but once it bounced, I think that’s all AB. Nobody tracks a ball like him. And very few people go from full stop to full speed as quickly.

AB seems to make a number of "lucky" plays - but I agree - he makes a lot of his own luck. That was a phenomenal play.

As for the rest though, it's absurd that the Steelers were only up 12-3 after a first half when they led in first downs 16-1. This team lets opponents hang around by not capitalizing in the red zone. Haley's red zone calls late in the game - 2 shotgun runs - were absolutely terrible. If running was working, line up and run the ball. Instead, he had to get cute.

[Slapstick]

Agree 100%. That reception and TD doesn't happen if it was any other receiver on the team.

I’m not sure it happens if it was any other WR on any other team...

[feltdizz]

I’m not sure it happens if it was any other WR on any other team...

nah, there are tons of amazing catches made every week in the NFL.

[feltdizz]

When does Tomlin take the bull by the horns and sit down with Haley and demand that he call better plays that cater to the strengths of Bryant and the other pass catchers on the team other then AB? We have to be more diversified in the passing game. We are living on borrowed time the way the offense is functioning right now.

I'm not sure we are calling plays that cater to AB's strengths, he's just that good.

I read where we went empty set on 3rd and 2 late in the game. Hell, might have been on the pass play to AB. While I get the frustration if you watch other games around the league you see the same types of formations. One thing I realize is most OC's and DC's are calling similar plays and it's a copycat league. It still comes down to execution. My biggest gripe with Haley is not running when close to the GL. Ben isn't seeing the field so we have to run more often if we plan on scoring TD's in the RZ.

[Slapstick]

nah, there are tons of amazing catches made every week in the NFL.

Are there tons? I don’t think so. Not like that...not ones that go for a TD...

[feltdizz]

Are there tons? I don’t think so. Not like that...not ones that go for a TD...

yeah, you are correct. I think there are tons of crazy catches but not for TD's.

[phillyesq]

I'm not sure we are calling plays that cater to AB's strengths, he's just that good.

I read where we went empty set on 3rd and 2 late in the game. Hell, might have been on the pass play to AB. While I get the frustration if you watch other games around the league you see the same types of formations. One thing I realize is most OC's and DC's are calling similar plays and it's a copycat league. It still comes down to execution. My biggest gripe with Haley is not running when close to the GL. Ben isn't seeing the field so we have to run more often if we plan on scoring TD's in the RZ.

You do see a lot of empty sets, but I don't get the upside. Especially with Ben, who has never been known to make quick decisions that you need with an empty set. Plus, at that point, the defense 100% knows a pass is coming. On 3rd and 2, why not have Bell in the backfield?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

I'm not sure we are calling plays that cater to AB's strengths, he's just that good.

I read where we went empty set on 3rd and 2 late in the game. Hell, might have been on the pass play to AB. While I get the frustration if you watch other games around the league you see the same types of formations. One thing I realize is most OC's and DC's are calling similar plays and it's a copycat league. It still comes down to execution. My biggest gripe with Haley is not running when close to the GL. Ben isn't seeing the field so we have to run more often if we plan on scoring TD's in the RZ.

Maybe Haley doesn't think we can punch it in. I do remember several times we ran when we needed less than a yard, and didn't get it - maybe he thinks that is more emotionally scarring than a missed pass.

I've read smarter people than me say our O line is great for pass pro and downfield blocking, but not so much for moving the ball a few inches in must have situations. Maybe it's all tied together somehow.

How much play action do we run? ... I can't remember too many plays where we did that. Maybe running some more would be good, so when we keep a back in on 4th and goal from the 2 the other team has to respect the possibility of a run.

[Eich]

You do see a lot of empty sets, but I don't get the upside. Especially with Ben, who has never been known to make quick decisions that you need with an empty set. Plus, at that point, the defense 100% knows a pass is coming. On 3rd and 2, why not have Bell in the backfield?

I agree. It seems like the offense is at a disadvantage with no threat of a run. But I guess that's somewhat compensated by the fact that you're spreading the defense out.

[RuthlessBurgher]

You do see a lot of empty sets, but I don't get the upside. Especially with Ben, who has never been known to make quick decisions that you need with an empty set. Plus, at that point, the defense 100% knows a pass is coming. On 3rd and 2, why not have Bell in the backfield?

I hate empty sets. Outside of a Hail Mary attempt at the end of the half or game, I see zero benefit to having only the QB in the backfield at the start of a play. You still spread the field if you go 4-wide, single-back, and the defense still has to defend against the possibility of a run.

[feltdizz]

You do see a lot of empty sets, but I don't get the upside. Especially with Ben, who has never been known to make quick decisions that you need with an empty set. Plus, at that point, the defense 100% knows a pass is coming. On 3rd and 2, why not have Bell in the backfield?

spread the D out and hope for a mismatch?

Not sure but it's common in the NFL. So when folks call Haley an idiot and want him fired I hope folks realize the next OC will probably do the same thing. Just like folks wanted to fire Haley over bubble screens. Haley came in and ran MORE bubble screens.