Coach T overrules Haley

[Slapstick]

Tomlin may just expect everyone to behave like professionals and adults...

[fordfixer]

The Pittsburgh Steelers squeaked by the Indianapolis Colts, 20-17, on Sunday, pushing their record to 7-2 to keep pace with the New England Patriots atop the AFC. But watching Pittsburgh against the Colts, and over the past few weeks, you get the sense that the offense remains on the cusp of putting everything together.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed 19 of 31 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception, in the victory. He opened the game with a turnover on his second passing attempt, when he tried to hit Martavis Bryant on a vertical route but left the throw too far inside toward the middle of the field. Ball placement, particularly on vertical routes, has been an issue for Roethlisberger this season, and that has usually been a strength for the veteran passer.

But Roethlisberger did lead the Steelers to victory, throwing two touchdowns in the second half to spur the comeback. The first touchdown strike came on a seven-yard throw to wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. On that play, Roethlisberger executed a Boomer Esiason-like play-action fake before hitting the rookie in stride for the TD. Later, Roethlisberger did a great job of sliding in the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield before spotting a wide-open Vance MacDonald in the end zone for the his TD of the game. Finally, his scramble-drill throw late in the game to Antonio Brown that set up the game-winning field goal, while defenders were grasping at his jersey in the backfield, was vintage Roethlisberger.

Going forward, Pittsburgh would be wise to do two things to stay consistent in the passing game. First, the short and intermediate routes remain areas where Roethlisberger can excel. If the vertical passing game remains spotty, the Steelers can still be very successful in those spots on the field. Secondly, the team looks crisper offensively when it plays uptempo. Going without a huddle seems to get the QB into rhythm and the offense moving very well.

The Steelers are still one of the top teams in the AFC, but again you get the feeling they could be playing even better football. Focusing on these two areas might be the way to get that offense firing on all cylinders.

— NFL1000 QB scout Mark Schofield

[squidkid]

wtf, doesnt your boss yell at you when you F up at work?
get over it.

[feltdizz]

wtf, doesnt your boss yell at you when you F up at work?
get over it.

my boss doesn't but my wife does..lol.

seriously, every sport I ever played the coach yelled. Half the time it was because the game atmosphere is loud and players and other coaches are also talking during time outs.

[squidkid]

my boss doesn't but my wife does..lol.

seriously, every sport I ever played the coach yelled. Half the time it was because the game atmosphere is loud and players and other coaches are also talking during time outs.

hell, i yelled coaching youth league. i wasnt dropping F bombs, but i let the kids, refs, and other coaches know i wasnt happy.
you shouldnt be coaching anything(well ,maybe soccer) if you dont have the competitiveness inside you.

[Eich]

Going without a huddle seems to get the QB into rhythm and the offense moving very well.

Hmmm... novel idea.

[Northern_Blitz]

He was on auto-pilot thinking - we took a penalty, so time to kick a an XP. Instead of looking at the possible scenarios

It was 17-15
-We get the 2pt and tie 17-17
-We miss the attempt at either and stay at 17-15
-We make the extra point and go 17-16

In each scenario, a FG for us wins. So, why not try to tie the game in case you need to play for overtime?

The future FG only wins it for us if we don't give up any points when they have the ball.

If we miss the 2 and they get a TD, the game is over (can't get 9 in one drive).

Going for the XP gaurentees that you are still playing for something when / if you get the ball back.

[feltdizz]

The future FG only wins it for us if we don't give up any points when they have the ball.

If we miss the 2 and they get a TD, the game is over (can't get 9 in one drive).

Going for the XP gaurentees that you are still playing for something when / if you get the ball back.

Colts are the worst team in the league when it comes to 4th qtr point differential. They were -41 in the 4th.

The chances of of them scoring was slim to none.

[Eich]

The future FG only wins it for us if we don't give up any points when they have the ball.

If we miss the 2 and they get a TD, the game is over (can't get 9 in one drive).

Going for the XP gaurentees that you are still playing for something when / if you get the ball back.

It doesn't necessarily guarantee that you are still playing for something. If we kick the XP and allow the Colts to get a touchdown, they could go for 2 points to make it 25-16. Again, a 9 point lead.

But there wasn't much time left and too many variables to try to think that far ahead. I think what Tomlin called was the right call. Go for the tie and rely on your defense, which was playing well at that point in the game.

And if Haley called for 2 before the penalty, then I'm not sure why he'd automatically change his mind after the penalty. Playing from a little farther back seems to actually help the Steelers.

[feltdizz]

always go for the tie when there isn't much time left.

[RuthlessBurgher]

always go for the tie when there isn't much time left.

Yeah...I thought that was self-explanatory to anyone at any level of football, but apparently not.