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Steelers vs. Jets: Loss may have sunk the playoff ‘ship’

By Eric Hassel

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 22: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass the ball during the first half of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 22: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass the ball during the first half of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Devlin Hodges #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Devlin Hodges #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

The Steelers made a change at QB but that did not cure the ailments of the offense

In a game where the Steelers’ offense had more total yards than the opposition, albeit by a single yard, had more passing yards and won the time of possession battle, we still lost.  Here’s why:  According to the official website of the NFL, the offense was able to generate only 75 yards rushing, was only able to convert third downs at a woeful 21% clip, was victimized by two INTs thrown by Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges, who started the game and gave up 4 sacks.

What really did the offense in. however, was the fact that, after climbing out of a 10 point deficit to tie the game before halftime, the Steelers offense scored exactly no points in the second half.  As they have done for most of the season, the defense did its part by holding the Jets offense to 16 points.

When a defense holds the opposition to 16 points, you generally win the game, but the Steelers lost because of the inability of the offense to score points.  As was stated above, Hodges threw two INTs and was replaced after the second INT by Mason Rudolph.  Unfortunately for Rudolph and for the Steelers, he was injured and was replaced by Hodges.

To his credit, Hodges played much better the second time around, but it was too little, too late.  I understand it’s easy to assign blame to the QB, but the reality is the entire offense just could not get into any rhythm whatsoever.  This has been the theme of the Steelers offense for nearly the entire season.

Through 15 games of the 2019 season, the Steelers offense is now ranked 30th in average yards per game, which is, ironically, an improvement over where we ranked through 14 games. The two stats that stand out to me are these: We are ranked 25th in scoring offense and 21st in time of possession per game.

The above stats are not horrible, so why does the offense continue to struggle?  Check out these stats:  We are ranked 26th in 3rd down conversion percentage and 3rd highest in INTs thrown.  If you can not convert third downs and you can not protect the ball, you are going to lose and that is what the Steelers did against the Jets.

Let’s take a look at how the defense fared against the Jets.

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