Steelers vs Browns: Steelers playoff hopes took a major hit

A feckless offense dooms the Steelers against the Browns

To say the Steelers offense was feckless against the Browns would be an understatement of monumental proportions.  According to the official website of the NFL, here is the stat line for the offense: 236 total yards of which 178 yards came through the air, and 58 yards came via the running game.

The offense also committed 4 turnovers (4 INTs thrown by Mason Rudolph) and gave up 4 sacks.  Additionally, the offense converted 3rd downs at an 18% clip and lost the time of possession battle by almost eight minutes. In other words, the Steelers offense possessed the ball nearly eight minutes less than the Browns possessed the ball.

Based on the numbers above, it’s not a stretch to say the offense was stuck in neutral.  Look, I realize the Steelers offense has had to and is currently dealing with injuries, but if the mantra of ‘the standard is the standard’, as Mike Tomlin frequently invokes in situations where starters are unable to go because of injuries, is expected to be upheld, it was not supported against the Browns.

In fact, the offense looked downright awful.  Rudolph connected on 23 out of 44 passes for 221 yards, and the 4 INTs mentioned above, the running game was virtually non-existent and the O-line, which had been a model of consistency before this game, surrendered 4 sacks.  Just not an acceptable performance.

This game was an example of the offense needing to get something going by sustaining drives and by scoring points.  Unfortunately, neither of those things transpired; thus, the Steelers lost the game.

Let’s see how the defense performed.