A month ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers looked like one of the best teams in the AFC. Now, they are left with questions about whether they can even win one playoff game. They have played three games in the last ten days and have gone 0-3. All three of the teams were current playoff squads: the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs. In the last two games, the defense has looked vulnerable. The team didn’t have a sack against the Chiefs, and players were often wide-open during key plays. After the game, veteran Cam Heyward called out his teammates.
Pittsburgh Steelers Cam Heyward On The Loss
Cam Heyward thinks the issues are on the defensive side of the ball. Over the past two seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has single-handedly won games. The combination of TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and many other solid players makes this unit one of the most dangerous in the NFL. Over the past three weeks, they have given up an average of 30.0 points per game. Heyward knows this isn’t a winning formula and let his teammates know that if one person isn’t doing their job, the whole unit suffers.
“When 10 guys do their job and one guy doesn’t, we are screwed.”
Heyward didn’t call out anyone specifically, but the Pittsburgh Steelers did look confused in a few plays. The touchdown to Travis Kelce was one of them. He was all alone in the back of the endzone for the score that broke the Chiefs franchise record set by Tony Gonzalez. If there is one player in Kansas City not to lose, it is Kelce. As the ball was being caught, multiple Steelers defenders were looking at each other to try and figure out what happened. Heyward likely won’t mention any names publicly but could do so behind closed doors over the next week and a half.
Reason To Panic?
A three-game losing streak is not great. The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for having late-season struggles after starting out hot. The concerns are there. Russell Wilson has turned the ball over in the red zone in back-to-back weeks. Arthur Smith hasn’t figured out how to distribute the carries between Jaylen Warren, Najee Harris, and Cordarrelle Patterson to make the run game effective. On defense, Watt and Fitzpatrick make big plays, but they can only do so much. Others have to step up and make big plays.
It isn’t all bad. It’s been a rough patch, but three games in ten days against some of the best teams have been brutal. The Pittsburgh Steelers have clinched a playoff spot. In the NFL’s one-and-done playoff format, anything can happen. Many playoff games come down to one or two plays. Watt is capable of making those plays, and Wilson has playoff experience. The biggest task will be righting the ship in week 18 so they can hopefully go into the playoffs with some momentum. If not, this could be another early exit for the team and another heartbreaking season for their fans.
