Post Steelers vs. Browns thoughts
I was surprised Ben Roethlisberger was active as the backup in the Steelers’ 30-9 win over the Cleveland Browns.
If he was healthy enough to dress, why not play him?
But he got no real game prep as Landry Jones took 90 percent of the work this week, with Mike Vick getting the other 10 or so percent.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said that was the reasoning for his decision to start Jones.
With Roethlisberger running almost strictly out of a no-huddle and shotgun, the Steelers’ running game was stifled.
It didn’t matter as the Browns had no corners capable of covering Antonio Brown or Martavis Bryant.
I’m shocked that the Steelers past two opponents, Oakland and Cleveland, haven’t defended Pittsburgh as Cincinnati did, bracketing Brown and Bryant on the outside and forcing Roethlisberger to throw elsewhere.
But, stupid is as stupid does.
@ As Tomlin headed into the locker room Sunday, he said, “I might just start that backup quarterback in the next game.”
Might be a good idea.
@ Arthur Moats is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. But he nearly ripped Johnny Manziel’s head off on a sack in which he brings the QB down by his facemask.
That will draw a nice big fine.
Some on social media suggest Moats could be suspended for the play. I don’t see that happening. He’s not a repeat offender.
@ Mike Mitchell made a number of big plays in this one, including his team-high third interception. But none of his celebrations were over the top.
Previously, he trotted around the stadium as if he had just won Olympic gold when he made a tackle.
His celebrations were much more subdued this week.
@ Even when the Browns did something right, they got it wrong.
Cleveland got a stop on a third-down sack and forces the Steelers to kick a field goal. But they draw a penalty for launching on the attempt and the Steelers get an automatic first down.
Roethlisberger makes them pay with a TD pass to Antonio Brown.
There’s a reason why the Browns are 2-8.
@ Was that Jarvis Jones bull rushing Joe Thomas into the quarterback?
Was that Ryan Shazier coming up with a sack?
Beats the heck out of the contributions Cleveland is getting out of their top draft picks from those two years.
Barkevious Mingo failed to record a statistic in this one – though he was flagged for hitting Roethlisberger in the face. Cornerback Justin Gilbert was a healthy scratch.
@ Cleveland drew back-to-back pass interference penalties for 39 and 38 yards. The Browns were penalized 12 times for 188 yards in this one while also turning the ball over three times and failing to cover Brown and Bryant.
More than 140 of those penalty yards came on pass interference calls.
That’s the Delta House equivalent of fat, drunk and stupid. Dumb, mistake prone and inept is no way to play football.
@ I thought the officials blew two replays in this game.
On the first, it certainly appeared that Manziel scored on a scramble. That proved to be big as the Browns were turned away after having first-and-goal at the 1-inch line.
Mike Pettine challenged the play and lost.
Then, later, Cleveland was given a terrific spot on a play in which Will Allen drilled Taylor Gabriel at the 5.
Gabriel needed to get the ball over the 5 and that didn’t appear to happen. Tomlin challenged and the poor spot was upheld.
If you’re not going to get it right, why make those things challengeable?
@ The Steelers will head into their bye week at 6-4 and in great shape in the AFC playoff race.
Yes, they are still behind Cincinnati in the AFC North race, but they are now 3-4 in conference games and appear to be hitting their stride offensively.
That’s now 68 points in the past two games and Roethlisberger looks to be heating up.
Plus, with Oakland losing at home Sunday, it’s looking more and more likely this will be a three team race for two spots between the Steelers, Jets and Bills. And Buffalo and New York both still have to play each other again along with another meeting with New England.
Kansas City can still climb back into this, but at 4-5, they still have a way to go.