The Steelers really dropped the ball in 2020. Here are three things they need to do this offseason.
As a Steelers fan and a sports fan in general, I just hated how Sunday night’s game unfolded. We all were shocked by the outcome, and it’s definitely was not expected. After so much hype and enthusiasm before the game started, the Steelers really wanted to prove to the haters that the 11-0 start was not a fluke. But after a poor stretch of games and a disastrous four-turnover first quarter in the playoffs, Pittsburgh literally and figuratively threw the game away and the Browns finally did what they’re supposed to do.
The problem with Pittsburgh is they have not been able to capitalize when it matters most. 17 years of frustration finally ended for the Cleveland Browns Organization as they now prepare for Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl Champions this Sunday. Pittsburgh has taken tougher losses in the playoffs over the years, but this may far be the worst of them all after being bet as the ultimate favorite, courtesy of The Action Network, since the Browns were missing starters for a second week in a row, and their Head Coach was quarantined in his basement with no interaction.
If this game was supposed to be the last for Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey, it was not what they wanted to go out on. Unless they both retire, I predict for next year they make a final run. But due to multiple injuries, can they last for one more season? After an 11-0 start that looked very promising but it took a collapse to end things prematurely, how can they not? The thing is that there must be changes, both the game-plan and coaching philosophies.
This will not happen overnight as there has been a five-year build of off-the-field issues that resulted in poor performance on-the-field. Remember we currently do have a playoff losing streak of our own, losing the last 3 consecutive tries dating back to the 2015 AFC Championship. The good news is that our Defense has been an improvement finishing 3rd in overall stats, but our Offense has flipped over from the past several seasons. The news was reported that three coaches, including offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, were not re-signed.
I’ve stated my opinions on what the Steelers need to change to get back to their winning ways starting in Week 13. Now 2020 has been a wild and unpredictable year, so with the issues that came about, we could let the performance slide, however, it can’t be an excuse on playtime because every team (and every sport) was affected all year and things changed on the fly and very suddenly. To mention as well, winning the division will be as tough as ever because the Ravens and Browns entered the playoffs from the season prior and Joe Burrow comes back from his knee injury. So what’s next for Pittsburgh heading into the offseason quicker than anticipated? Here are three things the Steelers must do this offseason: