The Pittsburgh Steelers went right back to preseason football, at least on the defensive side, and it cost them another game.
Stating the obvious. This season has gotten off to a terrible start. Two games and zero wins. This week, losing to a 23-year old, second-year QB. Who the Steelers’ defense made look like an All World player. As I watched today’s game unfold, three questions stood out.
Where’s the pass defense?
The defense couldn’t throw a blanket on anyone. As evidenced by Patrick Mahomes stat line: 23 completions in 28 attempts, for 326 yards, six TDs and a 154.80 QB rating. Unacceptable. For any team. Especially, in a city known for the “Steel Curtain.”
It wasn’t one or two people playing badly. It was the entire defense. Kansas City’s first TD resulted from both Mike Hilton and Bud Dupree letting Chris Conley run free to the end zone. Artie Burns tried to come over and help. But he had too much ground to cover.
The zone coverage was atrocious all day. The safeties were slow covering the sidelines. Which allowed far too many intermediate completions. The linebackers couldn’t cover either. Jon Bostic got burned repeatedly.
Here’s the best way to sum up each team’s pass coverage. Kansas City receivers were catching the ball is space, with room to run.
Whereas, most of the Steeler’s receivers were catching the ball with defensive players draped all over them. Yes, they were holding on most plays. But it’s only a penalty if called. Heck, our pass defenders weren’t close to a receiver to be called for holding.