Steelers vs. Bills: Road to the playoffs took a detour
By Eric Hassel
The Steelers free agent cornerback provide the only ‘splash’ play of the game against the Bills
Steven Nelson, the Steelers free agent signing this off-season, provided the only ‘splash’ play of the game when he picked off the opposing QB. With the Steelers trailing 7-3 in the second quarter, Nelson, the beneficiary of a pass that was tipped by the opposing WR, snagged the ball for an INT and returned it 33 yards. If you did not see it, you can watch it here: Nelson’s INT
It was unfortunate that Nelson had not scored on the INT as the offense squandered an opportunity to add points when we fumbled the ball away to the Bills. The Steelers had been winning games based on an opportunistic defense and based on an offense that had been able to capitalize, for the most part, on the opportunities created by the defense.
Unfortunately, the offense wasn’t able to capitalize on said opportunity. Even a field goal would have better than nothing, but nothing is what the Steelers got out of that drive. It was incredibly frustrating to watch the defense giveth to offense, then the offense giveth back to the Bills.
Along with Nelson’s INT, the ‘D’ was able to recover a fumble and get a sack. The sack now gives the Steelers ‘D’ 49 sacks on the season, which ties us for the best in the NFL in that category through 14 games. By the way, Nelson’s INT raised the Steelers’ total number of INTs to 19 on the season, which ranks us 2nd best in the NFL through 14 games.
The Steelers have two games left to state a case for the playoffs
I realize the loss against the Bills was one loss; however, it was a loss that could go either way. What I mean by that is this: The loss could dash any hopes we had of making the playoffs or it could rally the troops, so to speak, and ignite a spark that will lead to victory in the final two games of the season.
Next. Answers to the five questions after the Steelers loss to the Bills. dark
I am rooting for the latter to happen, obviously. I think it would be a major disappointment for the Steelers to have fought back from a 1-4 start only to have our season end without playing meaningful football in January. For that to happen, the offense has to get it together and the defense just has to keep doing its part.