Steelers’ promising start hits a speedbump in a mistake-filled loss at Indianapolis

PITTSBURGH– Mike Tomlin firmly insists the Pittsburgh Steelers do not depend on a “bunny’s foot” to assist them out when things get tight.

” We come out of those situations due to the fact that of what we do, not some magical thing,” Tomlin stated recently.

And what the Steelers do when things are going right is prevent the sort of errors that turned up far too often in a 27-24 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday.

The NFL’s top-ranked defense got run over by Jonathan Taylor early and yielded late on a day it stopped working to produce a single turnover versus an offense that had 39-year-old Joe Flacco at quarterback the majority of the video game after Anthony Richardson entrusted a hip injury.

The offense provided it away two times– as soon as on a fumble by George Pickens inside the Indianapolis 10, the other on a fumble by Justin Fields after he had actually run 22 lawns backwards while attempting to get away pressure– and saw its last drive basically end when novice center Zach Frazier snapped the ball to an unwary Fields, causing a 12-yard loss from which Pittsburgh (3-1) never ever recuperated.

Fields owned up to the miscue, stating he was taking a look at the protection when the ball smacked him in his leg. The Steelers were working on a quiet count, an operation that needs Fields to choose his upper hand as a signal to left guard Mason McCormick. McCormick then taps Frazier to snap it. In this case, Fields selected his upper hand however had his eyes downfield and was unprepared to begin the play.

” I have actually got to be prepared for the ball, anytime it’s going to come or not,” Fields stated. “So yeah, it’s on me.”

Fields has actually stated, and most of the times done, all the best things even as Tomlin keeps Russell Wilson’s name atop the depth chart while Wilson recuperates from a calf injury that has actually been sluggish to recover. The 2021 first-round choice has 2 turnovers through 4 video games and Fields’ 367 overall lawns (312 death, 55 hurrying) versus the Colts were the most by a Pittsburgh quarterback given that Ben Roethlisberger tossed for 380 lawns and 3 ratings in a loss to New Orleans in 2018.

Yet a winnable video game escaped not due to the fact that the Steelers lacked luck, however due to the fact that of the sort of self-inflicted injuries they mainly prevented throughout their 3-0 start.

It’s simply one loss, to be clear. Yet it likewise acted as a suggestion that Pittsburgh can’t manage to overcome its skis. While Tomlin appreciated the battle he saw after his group fell back 17-0 and 24-7, it didn’t matter in the end.

It wasn’t mysticism that cost the Steelers, it was football 101.

” We were careless in a great deal of methods,” Tomlin stated. “You simply do not win football video games versus inspired groups in their place playing the manner in which we played today in particular circumstances.”

What’s working

Tossing the ball throughout the area of Pickens and seeing what occurs. It’s a testimony to Pickens’ skill, Fields’ rely on him and offending organizer Arthur Smith’s play style that Pickens discovers himself frequently in individually protection despite the fact that the remainder of the getting group– especially Van Jefferson– has actually done next to absolutely nothing through the opening month.

What requires aid

Getting a push in the running video game early. The Steelers remain in the middle of a restore along the offending line and while the club stays bullish on the future, there are extremely genuine growing discomforts in today. The loss of best guard James Daniels to a major leg injury suggests 4 of the leading 5 linemen– Frazier, McCormick, Spencer Anderson and Broderick Jones– remain in their very first or 2nd year in the league.

Stock up

Tight end Darnell Washington stays an operate in development as a pass catcher, however there have actually been considerable indications of development in his 2nd season. The current example came throughout a 20-yard catch-and-run on Sunday in which the 6-foot-7, 264-pound Washington rose over a protector. Without any one stepping up as a feasible choice beyond Pickens and Pat Freiermuth, possibly Washington ends up being more of an alternative as the weeks pass.

Stock down

Najee Harris is a team-first gamer who puts winning above all else. Yet a month into his 4th season, Harris is balancing 3.4 lawns per bring. While the obstructing in front of him is spotty, backups Cordarrelle Patterson (5.8) and Jaylen Warren (3.9) are having more success behind the very same line.

Injuries

The 33-year-old Patterson remained in the procedure of being the efficient (and apparently ageless) changeup when he decreased in the 2nd quarter with an ankle injury. With Warren currently handling a knee concern, the depth behind Harris is being evaluated. … While Daniels is out maybe for the season, there’s a likelihood veteran left guard Isaac Seumalo will return Sunday after missing out on a month with a pectoral injury. … Wilson did more in practice recently than the week in the past, however anticipate the Steelers to continue to bring him along gradually.

Secret number

43-21– Tomlin’s head training record in October. Thinking about the possibly overwhelming closing stretch the Steelers face, they will require to make the most of 4 straight video games– consisting of 3 in the evening in your home– versus groups that are presently.500 or below.

Next actions

Attempt to prevent “kicking our own butt” as Tomlin put it when the Cowboys (2-2) check out Acrisure Arena on Sunday night.