3 biggest overreactions to Steelers' slim Week 5 loss to the Cowboys
By Andrew Falce
Week five was an ugly loss, and one that I would argue is the ugliest of the season. While the Colts game was an early disaster, the Steelers put on a show in the second half to get back into the game. Against the Cowboys, the team was given opportunity after opportunity and squandered it en route to their 20-17 loss.
Frankly, I’m finding it hard to find overreactions that I think don’t warrant attention. Arthur Smith continues to call timid games, and the team is seemingly wanting Russell Wilson out there instead of Justin Fields. As for Fields, I have defended him this season, but he struggled against the Cowboys.
The run game continues to be bad, and Najee Harris continues to prove why you shouldn’t invest that highly in running backs. His lack of athleticism makes it hard for him to get to the second level where he is actually effective. And as for George Pickens, the entire situation is a train wreck right now.
That said, I did find some opinions this week that seem a little extreme. While there is some level of warrant to each of these, fans have run with it to negative effect. Here are the three biggest overreactions from week 5 that Steelers fans can ignore.
Steelers defense is washed
The Steelers' defense started the season on a historic pace, but in the past two weeks, they have come back to earth. The Cowboys found success on the ground and through the air against the unit while the Colts wracked up 27 points. Now, fans have unsurprisingly turned on the group and have highlighted them as a weakness of the team.
This isn’t close to the case though. Sure, there has been some level of regression from the defense, but they are also not getting much help from the offense. They did their part in shutting down CeeDee Lamb, and they also got three key turnovers that the offense failed to capitalize on. We got spoiled initially in the year, and that level of elite play was never going to stick for a whole season, but the defense is far from the biggest issue on the team right now.
Steelers might have a savior in one of the Wilson's
There are two Wilsons that the fanbase is clamoring for. Everyone is pretty united that Roman Wilson needs to see the field sooner rather than later. That said, those saying that he will instantly be the second-best receiver may be disappointed. While I want to see what he can do, more than likely he doesn’t move the needle much, if at all.
As for Russell Wilson, much of the fanbase has turned on Fields. While the game against Dallas was his worst, he continues to get hampered by a mediocre system. Unless that changes, I’m not sure what Wilson brings to the table. That said, it seems like the Steelers are all aboard using him over the younger Fields at this point. They need to open the offense up regardless though.
Steelers were tricked by DeShon Elliott
DeShon Elliott looked like one of the best free-agent signings the Steelers had made in recent years. He was a great box safety but had also been dynamic in coverage, a perfect pairing with Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Cowboys game saw him lack the big play and give up two touchdowns through the air. The sky is falling, and he is now a horrible player worthy of benching.
Let’s look at the touchdowns though. The first had him slipping on the field allowing his receiver to get open. Unfortunate, but given the conditions of the field, understandable. The second was more his fault, but it was a classic crossing route that is hard to cover effectively. No, he wasn’t playing at the best that we have seen, but the game wasn’t as bad as the stats would say.