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

The Steelers former first-round pick was a force to be reckoned with against the Jets

T.J. Watt, the Steelers former first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft, was a one-man wrecking crew against the Jets.  Watt registered a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery…all on the same play!

In defensive parlance, that is the trifecta.  Unfortunately, it was not enough to secure victory.  The Steelers defense recorded two sacks, raising the total number of sacks generated to 51, which is good enough to be the 2nd best in the NFL through 15 games.

The defense is now ranked 4th best in average yards per game allowed.  We have a top 5 defense and are in a position where we may miss the playoffs.  If that is not the definition of mind-boggling, I don’t know what is.

Against the Jets, the Steelers defense held the Jets to 259 total yards and 16 points…and we still lost the game! It’s beyond frustrating to see an elite defense keep the team in the game only to lose because the offense can not compliment the stellar play of the defense.

For as well as Watt played, he is only one player.  He can not play every position.   For as good as the defense has played this season, there seems to always be a lapse in coverage that proves to be detrimental to the Steeler’s cause.

Against the Jets, the lone TD came as a result of what looked to me like a hesitation on the part of Terrell Edmunds, the Steelers former first-round pick in the 2018 draft.  On a 3rd and 9 yards to go, Edmunds took a bad angle and gave up a TD.  If you did not see it, you can watch it here:  Edmunds gives up a TD pass.

I may be harsh in my assessment of the play of Edmunds, but the reality is this:  If we had held the Jets to a FG on that drive, the Steelers would have been in a position to play for a potential winning FG instead of having to go for a game-winning TD.

For an offense that has struggled all season, the ‘D’ had to keep the Jets out of the end zone.  One player could have made the difference in the aforementioned play but he did not hold up his end.

The Steelers lost a game to an inferior opponent and may have lost any playoff hopes in the process

For all of the adversity the Steelers have overcome so far this season, it seems like the season will end in an inglorious fashion.  I really hope I am wrong as I would like nothing more than for the Steelers to play meaning football in January.

The defense is elite; the offense is not.  That may be the undoing of the 2019 Steelers.  It was certainly the undoing of the Steelers against the Jets.  We have one more opportunity to state our case for the playoffs, but we need a win and we need some help; that help may not be enough if we don’t take care of our business.

So let’s take care of business.