The 2021 Steelers were smoke and mirrors

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  • WindyCitySteel
    Legend
    • Nov 2011
    • 15684

    The 2021 Steelers were smoke and mirrors

    The worst thing the front office can do now is come to the conclusion that since they "made the dance" and won 9 games, they are close all they need is a couple tweaks to win 12. This was not a good football team.

    8 of 9 Steeler wins were by one score save for the 2nd Cleveland game, and that was by two only because Najee busted a long TD when they were running out the clock at the end. i.e., every single Steeler win was still undecided in the 4th quarter. That much success (or lack thereof) in one-score games tends to regress to the mean the next year. It's just not sustainable.

    Conversely, the Steelers lost 6 of 8 (including last night) by more than one score. One of the one-score losses required a huge comeback to get within 8 at the end. They were outscored by 76 points in 18 games.

    If the one-score trend regresses to the mean next season, we could be picking in the top 5 in 2023.
  • whatever
    Legend
    • Sep 2019
    • 5795

    #2
    Most off those wins were also against teams with backup qbs, injured qbs, injured stud rbs or a rookie qb(with the refs help).
    Add in a tie vs the worst team in the league and needed a missed fg for that to happen.
    How is it possible to have the best owner, best front office, best gm, best HC, good/great drafts every year and good FA acquisitions every year, but only have 3 playoff wins in 14 years?

    Comment

    • Ghost
      Legend
      • May 2008
      • 6338

      #3
      7 out of the last 8 games the Steelers didn’t score in the first half. That’s insane.
      sigpic

      Comment

      • Northern_Blitz
        Legend
        • Dec 2008
        • 24373

        #4
        I think next season will probably be rough.

        A lot of dead money pushed into the year. And while there is a fair amount of space, there are lots of open positions left too.

        Hope we can rebuild quickly so we don't waste TJs prime.

        Comment

        • BURGH86STEEL
          Legend
          • May 2008
          • 6921

          #5
          So the Steelers need to upgrade the Oline and QB positions..

          Not rocket science folks.

          Comment

          • Northern_Blitz
            Legend
            • Dec 2008
            • 24373

            #6
            Originally posted by Ghost
            7 out of the last 8 games the Steelers didn’t score in the first half. That’s insane.
            Who was it that was saying that the O is likely to be better next year?

            Stats like these make it seem like a reasonable assumption.

            Not too far to fall on a pts/game basis anyway.

            Although I guess many thought the OL couldn't get worse last off season too, so who knows.

            Comment

            • Eich
              Legend
              • Jul 2010
              • 7043

              #7
              There is no way that any sane front office could conclude that this offense is close to turning a corner. But stellar QB play could mask a lot more problems than Ben could at the end.

              Comment

              • Ernie
                Legend
                • Aug 2013
                • 8470

                #8
                Honestly I didnt expect alot coming into this year. I do give the FO credit for bringing back Juju, Alualu.. signing Witherspoon etc. The biggest miscalculation was on the offensive line...thinking we could scab together a competitive group. Sure, Klemm took the fall for that... but the problem started way above his head.
                If we want to "Shorten the rebuild"... we need to make the trenches on both sides top priority.
                Sure, we can throw shade at the WR corp.. but they are the least of our worries on offense.

                Comment

                • Northern_Blitz
                  Legend
                  • Dec 2008
                  • 24373

                  #9
                  Originally posted by BURGH86STEEL
                  So the Steelers need to upgrade the Oline and QB positions..

                  Not rocket science folks.
                  And the DL.

                  And ILB.

                  And at least 1 starting CB.

                  And a SS if Edmunds decides to go to the highest bidder in UFA (which probably won't be us).

                  Lots to do this off season.

                  Hope we can set the table, then win the lottery with an above average QB in the draft. Milk the biggest advantage in the NFL for 4 or 5 years.

                  Comment

                  • SidSmythe
                    Hall of Famer
                    • Sep 2008
                    • 4708

                    #10
                    I think it's this simple.

                    The Inept Offense was half the reason the Defense wasn't Great.
                    YES the Defense needs a lot of help but the Offense constantly put the pressure on them early to HOLD.

                    The OFFENSE'S issues start at the OLINE - the Failure to Run Block.
                    The 2nd issue was the Steelers had 1 WR who could get open and make catches uncontested.

                    The DEFENSE has it's CORE to build off - the Offense does NOT.

                    I think it starts with finding a CENTER and building outward from there.
                    Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go...
                    Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go...
                    Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go...!!!

                    Comment

                    • hackjam
                      Starter
                      • Sep 2021
                      • 995

                      #11
                      Originally posted by whatever
                      Most off those wins were also against teams with backup qbs, injured qbs, injured stud rbs or a rookie qb(with the refs help).
                      Add in a tie vs the worst team in the league and needed a missed fg for that to happen.
                      Posted this in another thread but here's how our W/L breaks down by opposing QB. Pretty clear what's going on here.

                      This year we beat
                      - Josh Allen
                      - Teddy Bridgewater
                      - Geno Smith
                      - Baker Mayfield x2
                      - Justin Fields
                      - Lamar Jackson
                      - Ryan Tannehill
                      - Tyler Huntley

                      Tied
                      - Jared Goff

                      And lost to
                      - Mahomes x2
                      - Burrow x2
                      - Carr
                      - Rodgers
                      - Herbert
                      - Cousins

                      Comment

                      • The Man of Steel
                        Pro Bowler
                        • Dec 2009
                        • 2236

                        #12
                        Maybe because it just ended and it’s still fresh in my brain but this 2021 Steelers team might be my least favorite group of all time. The inept offense and porous run defense was just downright depressing and unwatchable at times.
                        Obviously the standard is the standard.

                        Comment

                        • flippy
                          Legend
                          • Dec 2008
                          • 17088

                          #13
                          We might be 1 MR away from #7.
                          sigpic

                          Comment

                          • whatever
                            Legend
                            • Sep 2019
                            • 5795

                            #14
                            Originally posted by hackjam
                            Posted this in another thread but here's how our W/L breaks down by opposing QB. Pretty clear what's going on here.

                            This year we beat
                            - Josh Allen
                            - Teddy Bridgewater
                            - Geno Smith
                            - Baker Mayfield x2
                            - Justin Fields
                            - Lamar Jackson
                            - Ryan Tannehill
                            - Tyler Huntley

                            Tied
                            - Jared Goff

                            And lost to
                            - Mahomes x2
                            - Burrow x2
                            - Carr
                            - Rodgers
                            - Herbert
                            - Cousins
                            Thanks for the list.
                            For some to think we can play with the big boys with the Rudolph/Haskins competition winner makes no sense.
                            How is it possible to have the best owner, best front office, best gm, best HC, good/great drafts every year and good FA acquisitions every year, but only have 3 playoff wins in 14 years?

                            Comment

                            • feltdizz
                              Legend
                              • May 2008
                              • 27531

                              #15
                              We need to upgrade the QB and OL.

                              I really think a better QB can mask some of the OL’s faults.

                              Mahommes easily slides from pressure and delivers a dart 20 yards down field.

                              Ben used to do that but its been 18 years. We need a QB who can move and make plays. We literally had bad OL’s and won a SB because he had a QB making plays.

                              Upgrade the QB and OL and I think our D can play well longer than 1.5 quarters.
                              Steelers 27
                              Rats 16

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