So...WTF?!

[cyberlaz]

How does the Steeler defense play like shit against the Bengals and Packers but then shutdown the league's best offense?

What changed...did guys finally show up or the scheme worked? Colts receivers were actually covered a lot of the time. It was mind blowing!

[steelmann58]

They made it simple and made tackles

[Louis Lipps Service]

*sigh*

I pointed this out in another thread, before this game was played.

This is the inverse Tomlin special.

When everything seems most dire, and a losing season seems like it’s finally going to happen, Tomlin pulls a win (or wins) out of his ass to bring NHALS back in balance.

Then the media writes a bunch of articles about they’re “finally turning the corner”, Tomlin has a bunch of condescending quotes towards the media for ever doubting him in the first place. Then just as the pendulum starts to swing back in their favor and everyone just starts to think “maybe, just maybe, we have turned the corner”….we get creamed by some 3-10 team to remind everyone that no, nothing has changed and ever will.

Happens every year, yet people are still somehow still surprised when it happens.

[Steelperch]

How does the Steeler defense play like shit against the Bengals and Packers but then shutdown the league's best offense?

What changed...did guys finally show up or the scheme worked? Colts receivers were actually covered a lot of the time. It was mind blowing!

you’ve been following along for the past decade right? Get beat by a bad team, go on a losing streak, play out of your mind and beat a good team…. It’s all just the roller coaster hills on the way to NHALS which inevitably ends at a first round playoff embarrassment.

[Works At A Bank]

*sigh*

I pointed this out in another thread, before this game was played.

This is the inverse Tomlin special.

When everything seems most dire, and a losing season seems like it’s finally going to happen, Tomlin pulls a win (or wins) out of his ass to bring NHALS back in balance.

Then the media writes a bunch of articles about they’re “finally turning the corner”, Tomlin has a bunch of condescending quotes towards the media for ever doubting him in the first place. Then just as the pendulum starts to swing back in their favor and everyone just starts to think “maybe, just maybe, we have turned the corner”….we get creamed by some 3-10 team to remind everyone that no, nothing has changed and ever will.

Happens every year, yet people are still somehow still surprised when it happens.

Bingo was his name O!!!

[beerbrother]

*sigh*

I pointed this out in another thread, before this game was played.

This is the inverse Tomlin special.

When everything seems most dire, and a losing season seems like it’s finally going to happen, Tomlin pulls a win (or wins) out of his ass to bring NHALS back in balance.

Then the media writes a bunch of articles about they’re “finally turning the corner”, Tomlin has a bunch of condescending quotes towards the media for ever doubting him in the first place. Then just as the pendulum starts to swing back in their favor and everyone just starts to think “maybe, just maybe, we have turned the corner”….we get creamed by some 3-10 team to remind everyone that no, nothing has changed and ever will.

Happens every year, yet people are still somehow still surprised when it happens.

Bingo was his name O!!!

The Charlie Brown effect of Mike Tomlin.

[anpsteel]

I'd say it's the QB.

Flacco and Love are both much better QBs than Daniel Jones.

Daniel Jones is specifically why the Colts lost that game.

It wasn't the Steelers offense, which for all the turnovers, was still significantly outplayed

Jones, rather than quick reads and passes, kept taking 7 step drops and getting himself in trouble.

Anyway-

[jeemie]

On a side note, Peyton Wilson balled out so hard, the NFL picked him for a random drug screen.

According to Patrick Queen.

[K_C_]

I'd say it's the QB.

Flacco and Love are both much better QBs than Daniel Jones.

Daniel Jones is specifically why the Colts lost that game.

It wasn't the Steelers offense, which for all the turnovers, was still significantly outplayed

Jones, rather than quick reads and passes, kept taking 7 step drops and getting himself in trouble.

Anyway-

You’re not wrong but the Colts abandoned the run waaaaaaaay too quickly and their play calling was Matt Canada level bad.

Had the Colts supported Jones with more running plays with what is probably the best RB in the NFL, Watt, Highsmith and that d-line might not have feasted.

The Steelers have had problems stopping the run all year and the Colts abandoned it too soon.

[drmalba]

- Different personnel and schematic tweaks. Ramsey logging a ton of snaps at free safety. Kyle Duggar logging significant snaps. Echols and Porter as corners. I think we were more physical than they expected on the backend.
- Continued ascendence of Peyton Wilson
- Watt and Highsmith starting to feel guilty about their recent paycheck theft.
- Tomlin waking up the to the realization he might have to go for it on 4th and short once in a while to win against a good opponent.
- Danny Dimes remembering he's actually Danny Derps

Offense capitalized on the turnovers, but didn't do much of anything else when wthe D wasnt giving them cush field position. They need another receiver, and MVS ain't it.

I dunno. Let's see if it's an actual positive trend, this week had some good, well overdue adjustments on the defensive side of the ball.

[Deebo]

I'd say it's the QB.

Flacco and Love are both much better QBs than Daniel Jones.

Daniel Jones is specifically why the Colts lost that game.

It wasn't the Steelers offense, which for all the turnovers, was still significantly outplayed

Jones, rather than quick reads and passes, kept taking 7 step drops and getting himself in trouble.

Anyway-

You’re not wrong but the Colts abandoned the run waaaaaaaay too quickly and their play calling was Matt Canada level bad.

Had the Colts supported Jones with more running plays with what is probably the best RB in the NFL, Watt, Highsmith and that d-line might not have feasted.

The Steelers have had problems stopping the run all year and the Colts abandoned it too soon.

That was my exact thought: the Colts acted like they were down 20 points the entire game. While Taylor got off to a rough start, they were getting big chunks to start the 3rd quarter and they abandoned it too early.
Similarly, they didn't call hardly any RPO with D Jones...a play the Steelers very much struggle with.

[anpsteel]

I'd say it's the QB.

Flacco and Love are both much better QBs than Daniel Jones.

Daniel Jones is specifically why the Colts lost that game.

It wasn't the Steelers offense, which for all the turnovers, was still significantly outplayed

Jones, rather than quick reads and passes, kept taking 7 step drops and getting himself in trouble.

Anyway-

You’re not wrong but the Colts abandoned the run waaaaaaaay too quickly and their play calling was Matt Canada level bad.

Had the Colts supported Jones with more running plays with what is probably the best RB in the NFL, Watt, Highsmith and that d-line might not have feasted.

The Steelers have had problems stopping the run all year and the Colts abandoned it too soon.

I agree that the Colts abandoned the run waaay too early.. but both Flacco and Love torched the passing defense, by getting the ball out in under 2 seconds.

So- the deep drops, and getting away from the run game combined cost them the game


Also, I'm clear that Daniel Jones is just running the plays as called- so really its the Colts OC that's to blame

[.Kodiak]

Danny Dimes and IND we're having their way when they stayed on schedule and dictated. Once PIT tightened up the throwing windows and lanes, and got some pressure and confusion, Danny wilted.

It's perhaps a smoke and mirrors offense they're running in IND, or maybe just a bad game. Either way, any time you force 6 turnovers is a great day for the defense.

But most of the defensive stops, and offensive production, came off turnovers. Classic trap game in which the much better team was -5 and still only lost by 7.

Something maybe they can build on, but this team has always been able to reach deep for a win they had to have. Problem is these efforts only seem to surface when .500 is on the horizon and the team is being criticized heavily.

[LakecrestSteeler]

How does the Steeler defense play like shit against the Bengals and Packers but then shutdown the league's best offense?

What changed...did guys finally show up or the scheme worked? Colts receivers were actually covered a lot of the time. It was mind blowing!

Colts leaving a stinker on the field and ignored the Steelers’ DNR sign posted in bold letters above the hospital bed!

[lifelongsteel]

Not surprised at all about Tomlin's Steelers going from 2 straight stinkers to looking like a contender. But, I am confused about this . . .

I keep hearing folks like Julian Edelman talking about how simple the Steelers D is and how it never changes.

Yet, I also hear that their improvement this week was largely due to simplifying things.

So . . . WTF!

[Gonzo]

the constant deep drops right into the perfect path of the edge rushers was truly odd
I am not sure if it was play call or Jones' general lack of awareness he has always had. why he wouldnt step up or use some quicker throws I dont know?
they did it over and over and over ... my guess is it worked early very well and they had guys open but Jones just melted down ... he is tomlineque in how has this dizzy, cross-eyed lost dog look when things are down

If that was the Steelers we would have blown a gasket here . Like bizarro world bellichek … Find the thing the opposing defense does best and then call plays that allows them to accentuate that strength and do it repeatedly

[bradshaw2ben]

the constant deep drops right into the perfect path of the edge rushers was truly odd
I am not sure if it was play call or Jones' general lack of awareness he has always had. why he wouldnt step up or use some quicker throws I dont know?
they did it over and over and over ... my guess is it worked early very well and they had guys open but Jones just melted down ... he is tomlineque in how has this dizzy, cross-eyed lost dog look when things are down

If that was the Steelers we would have blown a gasket here . Like bizarro world bellichek … Find the thing the opposing defense does best and then call plays that allows them to accentuate that strength and do it repeatedly

I think Jones was feeling interior pressure and that's why he kept backing up. It might have been ghosts, since the Steelers DL didn't get interior pressure all the time, but he was definitely afraid to stand in.

[Gonzo]

the constant deep drops right into the perfect path of the edge rushers was truly odd
I am not sure if it was play call or Jones' general lack of awareness he has always had. why he wouldnt step up or use some quicker throws I dont know?
they did it over and over and over ... my guess is it worked early very well and they had guys open but Jones just melted down ... he is tomlineque in how has this dizzy, cross-eyed lost dog look when things are down

If that was the Steelers we would have blown a gasket here . Like bizarro world bellichek … Find the thing the opposing defense does best and then call plays that allows them to accentuate that strength and do it repeatedly

I think Jones was feeling interior pressure and that's why he kept backing up. It might have been ghosts, since the Steelers DL didn't get interior pressure all the time, but he was definitely afraid to stand in.

I think that he needs to be constantly reminded of things by OC/QB coach ... it looked mechanical to me in that its just what he does every time. He did step up a few times with good results -- I think someone has to be in his ear every play. but they also didnt do him any favors in (as you noted before) they had few quick passes and didnt have him run at all?

and dont get me wrong -- I am not saying all this to bash the steelers D as lucky or whatever -- they did a pretty good job.
I was just intrigued the second half watching Jones and curious as to what was going on there -- seems a good case study in certain types of QBs (less play awareness and how you handle them) and the importance of the play caller

jones is what he is so thought the blame fell more on the play caller

[daikyu]

I don't understand the tendency to say only the other team screwed up, not the Steelers D did their job.

They rattled Jones early and often, and it showed with a poor performance. Jones looked good until the strip sack, and then he lost all composure. IND stopped running early because they were getting shut down, and it became a game of catch up.

the constant deep drops right into the perfect path of the edge rushers was truly odd
I am not sure if it was play call or Jones' general lack of awareness he has always had. why he wouldnt step up or use some quicker throws I dont know?
they did it over and over and over ... my guess is it worked early very well and they had guys open but Jones just melted down ... he is tomlineque in how has this dizzy, cross-eyed lost dog look when things are down

If that was the Steelers we would have blown a gasket here . Like bizarro world bellichek … Find the thing the opposing defense does best and then call plays that allows them to accentuate that strength and do it repeatedly

I think Jones was feeling interior pressure and that's why he kept backing up. It might have been ghosts, since the Steelers DL didn't get interior pressure all the time, but he was definitely afraid to stand in.

[Gonzo]

I don't understand the tendency to say only the other team screwed up, not the Steelers D did their job.

They rattled Jones early and often, and it showed with a poor performance. Jones looked good until the strip sack, and then he lost all composure. IND stopped running early because they were getting shut down, and it became a game of catch up.

the constant deep drops right into the perfect path of the edge rushers was truly odd
I am not sure if it was play call or Jones' general lack of awareness he has always had. why he wouldnt step up or use some quicker throws I dont know?
they did it over and over and over ... my guess is it worked early very well and they had guys open but Jones just melted down ... he is tomlineque in how has this dizzy, cross-eyed lost dog look when things are down

If that was the Steelers we would have blown a gasket here . Like bizarro world bellichek … Find the thing the opposing defense does best and then call plays that allows them to accentuate that strength and do it repeatedly

I think Jones was feeling interior pressure and that's why he kept backing up. It might have been ghosts, since the Steelers DL didn't get interior pressure all the time, but he was definitely afraid to stand in.

i stated above -- its a discussion of interest ... not simply trying to deflate the performance of the Steelers D
i think we can discuss multiple things at once

[Steeldrama]

"WTF" indeed.

Apparently the new safety duo played well with Jalen Ramsey shutting down the hot shot Happy Valley Rookie TE.

Another rookie TE test in front of Ramsey with Chargers' rookie stud TE Orande Gadsen tearing up the league.

Kyle Dugger is just your typical Khan bargain basement dart throw, but anything to keep Jog Thornhill off the field.

Wilson and Queen played like legit NFL inside linebackers (huge WTF there)

Even SCam felt like playing, giving All-Pro everything OG Quentin Nelson a proper ass whipping.

Hopefully this apparent new follower to Mike Tomlin football doesn't have to start a new "So...WTF?!" thread come Sunday when Mikey's defense reverts to the norm after their stellar "ohhh okaaay we'll play today football" outing against the top ranked Colts offense.

The Chargers' OL is a hot mess which would cause your average fan to THINK Low watt and Lowsmith will once again feast.

Not sooooo fast, my friend.

THAT is NOT how NHALS works.

BUT

MAYBE

JUST MAYBEEEE

The (alleged) dumbing down of the defense really was a revelation to our (apparently) not overly bright defense.

But alas,

This is Tomlin we're talking about here so chances are pretty, pretty, good that the Steelers front 7 will fail to attack their opponents current area of (extreme) weakness.

I for one could give a rip either way if the defense repeats their Colts' performance, but it makes for a (not so) interesting NHALS case study.

[jeemie]

How does the Steeler defense play like shit against the Bengals and Packers but then shutdown the league's best offense?

What changed...did guys finally show up or the scheme worked? Colts receivers were actually covered a lot of the time. It was mind blowing!

Daniel Jones remembered he was Daniel Jones.

[Gonzo]

the constant deep drops right into the perfect path of the edge rushers was truly odd
I am not sure if it was play call or Jones' general lack of awareness he has always had. why he wouldnt step up or use some quicker throws I dont know?
they did it over and over and over ... my guess is it worked early very well and they had guys open but Jones just melted down ... he is tomlineque in how has this dizzy, cross-eyed lost dog look when things are down

If that was the Steelers we would have blown a gasket here . Like bizarro world bellichek … Find the thing the opposing defense does best and then call plays that allows them to accentuate that strength and do it repeatedly

I think Jones was feeling interior pressure and that's why he kept backing up. It might have been ghosts, since the Steelers DL didn't get interior pressure all the time, but he was definitely afraid to stand in.

I think that he needs to be constantly reminded of things by OC/QB coach ... it looked mechanical to me in that its just what he does every time. He did step up a few times with good results -- I think someone has to be in his ear every play. but they also didnt do him any favors in (as you noted before) they had few quick passes and didnt have him run at all?

and dont get me wrong -- I am not saying all this to bash the steelers D as lucky or whatever -- they did a pretty good job.
I was just intrigued the second half watching Jones and curious as to what was going on there -- seems a good case study in certain types of QBs (less play awareness and how you handle them) and the importance of the play caller

jones is what he is so thought the blame fell more on the play caller

he is doing the exact same thing today - deep drops right into the rush, won't step up, total lack of awareness

[.Kodiak]

jones is what he is so thought the blame fell more on the play caller

he is doing the exact same thing today - deep drops right into the rush, won't step up, total lack of awareness

Tomlin providing the blueprint against the league's top offense is a first.