11-1 is an excellent record.
Last night’s sloppy defeat at the hands of Washington is only one loss.
But the Steelers aren’t the same team as when they were first staking claim to the perception that they’re a legit Super Bowl contender. (If that perception isn’t dead, it’s on life support. Buffalo can put it six feet under this coming Sunday night.)
It’s not the same defense without Devin Bush and Bud Dupree, and with Steven Nelson, Joe Haden and Robert Spillane now hurt. It’s not the same offense without Maurkice Pouncey, James Conner and any semblance of balance via running the football.
Some of those injured will return. But the last two games have seen a deep malaise introduced. Focus seems non-existent. The Steelers have replaced their war face with a boo-boo face.
The receivers have the dropsies. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 104 times in two games against subpar foes that saw the Steelers trail a total of just 7:24. The defense is still good, but only good. Washington (after losing its top back to injury) put together three straight scoring drives to end last night’s game. A 4-7 team gashed the Steelers play after play.
That just scratches the surface. The Steelers’ current flaws are almost to0 many to list. The philosophy of “next man up” has been badly disproven.
The best thing would be attempting to regroup on TikTok.
Can the Steelers rediscover their mojo?
One thing is certain: It’s not the same team.
Here’s Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd with some encouraging words:
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