Positives After this Game

[T.Ferguson]

Ben had a wonderful, emotional send-off. But I have the feeling that he really wanted to put on a much better performance in his last game at Heinz, with his family in attendance.... The INT was a little ugly and 46 throws for 123 yards? Wonder if that's some kind of record for least yards per throw? Thankfully he got the TD pass and the W. But I think the mediocre overall performance will eat at him a bit like his first super bowl win.

Yeah that sucked but it definitely wasn't all on him, the offense just isn't good. WR's were probably the worst part of the offense last night, too many routes are predictable and bad in this offense which makes it easier on the defense and harder on the QB and WR to make plays.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Funny hearing people talk about the Browns' offense. They have a top 5 OL, top 5 RB, good WR, good TE. Baker has the tools around him, the weakest tool is the QB.

[hackjam]

I don't think Baker is the answer or anything but he has been playing hurt all year. No idea why they even had him play this game after they had been eliminated given that they knew he needed surgery.

[crushedspirit]

I don't think Baker is the answer or anything but he has been playing hurt all year. No idea why they even had him play this game after they had been eliminated given that they knew he needed surgery.

The entire game plan, while Baker stayed in taking a beating, had a weird vibe to it. I don't think he should have played at all, but at the very least, should have been pulled during. It honestly looked like Stefanski had no interest at all. To quote from an article that sums it up nicely,

The second-year coach had the worst performance of his career.

There were several questionable choices from Stefanski throughout the game. From leaving greenhorn rookie right tackle James Hudson on an island against Defensive Player of the Year candidate T.J. Watt (four sacks) to a weird aversion to playing Pro Bowl RB Nick Chubb more, it was a poorly conceived offensive game plan from the man in charge.

The usage, or lack thereof, of Chubb was something that drew in-game enmity from the Manning brothers and former coach Bill Cowher on their ESPN broadcast. Fellow ESPN commentator Louis Riddick was apoplectic on the main broadcast at not using Chubb against the Steelers’ league-worst run defense.

They were right. On a night where Mayfield was off, the line couldn’t pass protect, Austin Hooper couldn’t catch and the offense desperately needed to grind out some first downs to help out the defense, chaining Chubb to the bench for prolonged periods and running him just 12 times (58 yards) made no sense at all.

[NorthCoast]

The entire game plan, while Baker stayed in taking a beating, had a weird vibe to it. I don't think he should have played at all, but at the very least, should have been pulled during. It honestly looked like Stefanski had no interest at all. To quote from an article that sums it up nicely,

Just posted elsewhere that I think Stefanski was trying to show their GM just how bad they need to go after a QB next year. Rodgers, Wilson, Watson, even Mariota would make them instantly playoff favorites.

[pfelix73]

Yeah that sucked but it definitely wasn't all on him, the offense just isn't good. WR's were probably the worst part of the offense last night, too many routes are predictable and bad in this offense which makes it easier on the defense and harder on the QB and WR to make plays.

I fully put all of that on the WR's and also the man named Canada. I hope he's fired. His offense reminds me of our local HS team that typically wins 4 games a year.

[feltdizz]

Funny hearing people talk about the Browns' offense. They have a top 5 OL, top 5 RB, good WR, good TE. Baker has the tools around him, the weakest tool is the QB.

Bart Scott was on ESPN radio getting props because he predicted the Browns would miss the playoffs this year.

Basically said this team lacks dogs and isn’t used to being favored. They were crowned after 1 playoff win.

Browns is the Browns.

I’m down in Charlotte and the Carolina Panthers have yet to have 2 back to back winning seasons. Some places simply aren’t used to having a winning culture. They may have a hot season every now and then but consistent winning is hard to do in this league.

[feltdizz]

Just posted elsewhere that I think Stefanski was trying to show their GM just how bad they need to go after a QB next year. Rodgers, Wilson, Watson, even Mariota would make them instantly playoff favorites.

Is Stefanski good or did he have one good season and now he thinks he can call whatever he wants instead of what works?

[Chucktownsteeler]

I fully put all of that on the WR's and also the man named Canada. I hope he's fired. His offense reminds me of our local HS team that typically wins 4 games a year.

Some high school offenses are more potent and less predictable than Canada's inept squad.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Just posted elsewhere that I think Stefanski was trying to show their GM just how bad they need to go after a QB next year. Rodgers, Wilson, Watson, even Mariota would make them instantly playoff favorites.

Ben at QB next year would make the Browns a contender.

[NorthCoast]

I have to go back and look at the play by play..

At halftime Baker only had 15 pass attempts.

They kept saying they need to run but every time they ran we held our own on most running plays.

First half I got:
Mayfield
17 atts - 2.4 yds/att
Roethlisberger
35 atts - 2.6 yds/att
Rushing:
CLE - 9 atts; 5.6 yds/att
PIT rush:
PIT - 14 atts; 5.1 yds/att

2nd half:
Mayfield
30 atts - 3.3 yds/att
Roethlisberger
13 atts - 1.5 yds/att
Rushing:
CLE - 11 atts; 3.9 yds/att
PIT - 17 atts; 6.9 yds/att

9 atts rushing by CLE in the first half is criminal but I won't complain about Stefanski as a poster child for mosted wanted.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Some places simply aren’t used to having a winning culture. They may have a hot season every now and then but consistent winning is hard to do in this league.

I agree with this. I always call sports success an apprenticeship. Teams need to learn the difference between regular season vs. playoff intensity. It is the reason that I would rather the Steelers squeak into the playoffs next week and get their asses handed to them than miss he playoffs, especially in a place like KC where they just played a couple of weeks ago - so that kids like Najee, Fry, Green, Moore etc can see the difference.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Correct, playoff games (even lost) can be invaluable, especially to a young team like ours. Experiance and expectations matter.

[LPMAN]

Ben had a wonderful, emotional send-off. But I have the feeling that he really wanted to put on a much better performance in his last game at Heinz, with his family in attendance.... The INT was a little ugly and 46 throws for 123 yards? Wonder if that's some kind of record for least yards per throw? Thankfully he got the TD pass and the W. But I think the mediocre overall performance will eat at him a bit like his first super bowl win.

Yeah all the 2 yard throws on 3rd & 9 are irritating as hell. Unlike Ben his whole career.

[NorthCoast]

I agree with this. I always call sports success an apprenticeship. Teams need to learn the difference between regular season vs. playoff intensity. It is the reason that I would rather the Steelers squeak into the playoffs next week and get their asses handed to them than miss he playoffs, especially in a place like KC where they just played a couple of weeks ago - so that kids like Najee, Fry, Green, Moore etc can see the difference.

Kinda intrigued by Campbell trying to coach a turn-around in DET. And in our own division if CIN makes noise in the playoffs this year, they could become the next AFCN dynasty. Young team learning how to win together. Fortunately they have Mike Brown to screw things up. Thought Stefanski was starting to return that franchise to an annual contender but looking a lot like a one year wonder (but to be continued if they find a QB not named Mayfield next season).