Offense: difference between Q1 & Q4

[Eich]

We’ve seen it all season long and it was even more obvious to the world in this playoff game.

The offense can’t get out of its own way in the first quarter and often the entire first half. Then it comes alive in the 4th quarter. Sometimes it was enough to win. Others, were like last night.

Is it more because we abandoned the game plan and let Ben wing it?

Or is it more because the opposing D loosens up with a lead?

Or some combination? I’d love to see an expert analysis. If it’s the former, Canada should be fired today for an embarrassment of an offense.

[T.Ferguson]

It's because Ben is calling his own plays. Other players on the team have even mentioned this. It's not because teams have loosened up, I feel like when people say that they simply have an agenda in mind. Even last night KC was still playing press coverage headed into the 4th quarter.

Canada is awful full stop. I've mentioned it about a hundred times now but Charlie Batch asked other NFL teams which teams were the easiest to gameplan for and the Steelers offense was one of them. The offense is bad and predictable.

[Flasteel]

I think it's a combination of both. Regardless, it's an indictment of Canada and he needs to go.

[feltdizz]

its because it was 35 to 7… please don’t believe it was because Ben “called the plays”

KC was okay with letting us burn some clock. They called off the dogs.

[Eich]

If that’s the case (that Ben wings it), and Tomlin should know, then Canada should be having his exit interview.

That was the most embarrassing, JV offensive performance I’ve ever witnessed in the first half. Of any game.

[feltdizz]

It's because Ben is calling his own plays. Other players on the team have even mentioned this. It's not because teams have loosened up, I feel like when people say that they simply have an agenda in mind. Even last night KC was still playing press coverage headed into the 4th quarter.

Canada is awful full stop. I've mentioned it about a hundred times now but Charlie Batch asked other NFL teams which teams were the easiest to gameplan for and the Steelers offense was one of them. The offense is bad and predictable.

it was 35 to 7 at the time.

You really think they didn’t relax a bit?

[flippy]

Q1-3 are Ben’s first practice sessions of the week where he learns the game plan.

Then he usually understands it by Q4 and takes over.

If we’re still in it great. If not, it is what it is.

We’ve got a QB that has started slow from Day 1.

It’s not the OC. It’s the QB.

[Ernie]

It's because Ben is calling his own plays. Other players on the team have even mentioned this. It's not because teams have loosened up, I feel like when people say that they simply have an agenda in mind. Even last night KC was still playing press coverage headed into the 4th quarter.

Canada is awful full stop. I've mentioned it about a hundred times now but Charlie Batch asked other NFL teams which teams were the easiest to gameplan for and the Steelers offense was one of them. The offense is bad and predictable.

This... yet folks want to give Canada a pass

[Ernie]

Q1-3 are Ben’s first practice sessions of the week where he learns the game plan.

Then he usually understands it by Q4 and takes over.

If we’re still in it great. If not, it is what it is.

We’ve got a QB that has started slow from Day 1.

It’s not the OC. It’s the QB.

Is it the QB when we... as the lowest rated Rushing offense in the league... routinely get off to slow starts because of failed scripted running plays that result in 3 and outs?

[NorthCoast]

It's because Ben is calling his own plays. Other players on the team have even mentioned this. It's not because teams have loosened up, I feel like when people say that they simply have an agenda in mind. Even last night KC was still playing press coverage headed into the 4th quarter.

Canada is awful full stop. I've mentioned it about a hundred times now but Charlie Batch asked other NFL teams which teams were the easiest to gameplan for and the Steelers offense was one of them. The offense is bad and predictable.

You can't seriously believe this. KC dropped their DBs back into zone after the 3 score lead. All of a sudden guys are getting open because the QB is calling plays?! Laughable. And why did he wait until the 4th qtr when things were out of hand?? Why not earlier? This was going to be his last freaking game and you're telling me he was only listening to his OC? And why did Snell and Ballage suddenly start getting yards when Harris couldn't?

The KC defense was in coast mode.

[flippy]

Is it the QB when we... as the lowest rated Rushing offense in the league... routinely get off to slow starts because of failed scripted running plays that result in 3 and outs?

We’ve had early 3 and outs long before Canada.

[feltdizz]

I don’t think anyone is giving Canada a pass.

Most people won’t lose sleep if he is fired.

but I simply believe a 5 minute TD drive when the score is 35 to 7 is no time to come to conclusions on the difference in play calling. Its the difference in the way the other team defends you.

[T.Ferguson]

it was 35 to 7 at the time.

You really think they didn’t relax a bit?

The first TD drive was press coverage. 4th quarter, especially later it was for sure. But this narrative that it's why Ben has been successful generally in the 4th quarter just isn't true, most of his comebacks have been in tight games, teams are not going to loosen up in this situations. The base offense might be the worst in the NFL and I'm pretty sure Ben wasn't a fan of it.

[whatever]

I’d have to go back and check all our other games , but last night the chiefs played prevent defense the second half. I’m sure they did it during the regular season game also.

[feltdizz]

You can't seriously believe this. KC dropped their DBs back into zone after the 3 score lead. All of a sudden guys are getting open because the QB is calling plays?! Laughable. And why did he wait until the 4th qtr when things were out of hand?? Why not earlier? This was going to be his last freaking game and you're telling me he was only listening to his OC? And why did Snell and Ballage suddenly start getting yards when Harris couldn't?

The KC defense was in coast mode.

yeah.. its comical to think Ben was handcuffed and once freed he immediately scored a TD when you look at the score at the time.