The 2021 Steelers were smoke and mirrors

[WindyCitySteel]

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]

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.

[Ghost]

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

[Northern_Blitz]

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.

[BURGH86STEEL]

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

Not rocket science folks.

[Northern_Blitz]

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.

[Eich]

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.

[Ernie]

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.

[Northern_Blitz]

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.

[SidSmythe]

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.

[hackjam]

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

[The Man of Steel]

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.

[flippy]

We might be 1 MR away from #7.

[whatever]

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.

[feltdizz]

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.