From what a game to what a disaster, the Steelers once again fell flat on their face when the game mattered the most. Despite completely overhauling the roster a year ago, this team found the exact same results as we have had for years.
Nine to 10 wins, and bounced in the playoffs.
Sure, this game was closer for about 80 percent of the game, but by the end, it was the same old same old. Another embarrassing loss, another mediocre season, and once again the Steelers are in no position to actually make lasting changes.
Rinse and repeat. Groundhog day.
Steelers struggle to find any winners in blowout loss to Texans
Steelers Loser: The offensive line
While the offensive line has come together this season and taken some massive steps forward. However, in pass defense against the Texans, they were exposed.
No one stood out as above average in Pittsburgh, but the tackles especially stunk it up. Sure, the Texans boast one of the best pass rushing tandems in the league, but that doesn’t mean you can just fold like that. Their struggles crippled this team.
Steelers Loser: Aaron Rodgers
I’m not quite sure that Aaron Rodgers is deserving of all of the blame, but his struggles were on display today. At his age he can’t escape pressure like he used to, but he is clearly afraid of getting hit. Once under pressure, he folds.
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This led to another bad game for the veteran. You have to wonder why you would want to even consider bringing him back for another go-around.
Steelers Winner: Joey Porter Jr.
The only winner on the list, Joey Porter capped off a good season with a strong playoff performance. While Christian Kirk shredded the defense from the slot, Porter locked down his receiver. That included Nico Collins, one of the best receivers in the league.
You wouldn’t know it based on the final outcome, but Porter was the lone good part of this playoff debacle.
Steelers Loser: Run Defense
The Texans didn’t have a great rushing attack this season, and their backfield featured a rotating cast of low-end names. However, they shined this week. Despite the mantra to stop the run being placed on this team last year, they failed to do so this year.
Steelers Loser: The coaches
Lumping them all in here, as it was a group loss. The coaching wasn’t up to par this week, which has been an ugly trend in recent years. The defense did ok at times, but they clearly aren’t getting the most out of the talent there.
Arthur Smith crafted up another conservative lackluster gameplan. While the Texans were finding success, he did little to counteract that.
And of course, Mike Tomlin once again failed to win when it counted. His postseason struggles will once again be highlighted all offseason as this team pastes together their next band of misfits.
But hey, at least he didn’t have a losing season.