4 takeaways from Steelers embarrassing tie vs Lions
By Tommy Jaggi
Turnovers essentially cost Pittsburgh the game
Mason Rudolph certainly wasn’t the only player to blame for the tie football game and the lackluster offensive performance. Scoring 16 points is less than ideal, but it’s only 3.2 fewer than Ben Roethlisberger has scored per contest on the season. The Steelers would have had more points if not for some costly turnovers.
Rudolph was responsible for one of them in the first half with an interception on a poorly thrown pass that sailed well over the head of his intended target. However, he would have mounted a game-winning drive if not for a pair of fumbles.
The first of which happened on Pittsburgh’s first possession of overtime. After Rudolph threw the pass of the game to Diontae Johnson, the shifty receiver took off after the catch but allowed the ball to squirt out while being tackled and the Lions recovered. If Johnson had held onto the ball, the Steelers would have had a first down just yards away from Chis Boswell’s range.
The second overtime fumble came after the Steelers made a great defensive stand. Driving with time expiring, Pat Freiermuth allowed the ball to come out just before Pittsburgh was about to attempt the game-winning field goal.
In addition, Kendrick Green had a bad snap that sailed over the head of Rudolph and Ray-Ray McCloud nearly fumbled on a punt return late in the contest. The weather conditions no doubt played a factor in this sloppy play, but the Steelers have to do a better job taking care of the ball.