GOOD
It's still hard to believe that our Steelers weren't able to hold on to defeat Denver. They played a good game. They led until well into the 4th quarter. QB Ben Roethlisberger didn't turn the ball over. WR Martavis Bryant stepped up in Antonio Brown's absence, catching 9 receptions for 154 yards. He also had 2 runs for 40 yards. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey had 2 catches for 64 yards and rookie WR Sammie Coates hauled in 2 for 61 to help carry the load, too.
LB James Harrison turned in another impressive performance with 7 tackles, 6 solo, the Steelers only sack and 3 tackles for loss. Was this Deebo's last game in Black-N-Gold? Only time will tell. #92 was in no mood after the game to discuss his future.
K Chris Boswell continued his fine postseason, converting on 3 of 3 field goals. He finished the playoffs by going 7 for 7. Clearly Boz was the kick in the pants the Steelers needed.
You may recall that in her Steelers preview way back before the season kicked off, Mrs.Black-N-Gold was not very optimistic. She had the Steelers going 9-7 and finishing out of the playoffs. The fact that this team was able to pull it together, with all the injuries and with a questionable defense, and go all the way to the Divisional Round is a GOOD thing.
BAD
How would you like to be RB Fitzgerald Toussaint? You go from unemployment to starting in the backfield for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And just like that, you fumble in the playoffs and watch your season come to an end. Yes, the fumble sucked but the loss wasn't all Fitz's fault. Mrs. Black-N-Gold can't help but feel bad for the guy.
Some others get the BAD vote, too. Did DE Cam Heyward play on Sunday? You wouldn't know it by the stat sheet because The Man isn't on it. Mrs. Black-N-Gold never heard his name mentioned once on Sunday. You gotta give it to Denver. They found a way to neutralize #97. Cam is still The Man. He just had a bad game, is all. He picked a lousy time to have a bad day but, hey, it happens.
Speaking of bad days.....Could P Jordan Berry and the special teams unit be any worse than the were on Sunday? They constantly put the defense in a bad way by losing the field position battle. WR Markus Wheaton didn't do us any favors, either. Note to Coach Tomlin: Heaven forbid #84 is hurt again next season but if he is, don't have Wheaton back there to return punts.
While we're on the subject of the defense having to play with a short field most of the day, the one time they had a long field to work with was the one time they couldn't stop Denver. It's a shame because even though the D only had 1 sack and forced zero turnovers, they still didn't have that bad of a day.
Another bad thing was that the offense was set up on more than 1 occasion by some big pass plays, only to settle for field goals instead of finding the endzone.
What Mrs. Black-N-Gold thinks was the worst of all was that it seemed as though Coach was playing not to lose (again) instead of playing to win. There was a point in the 3rd quarter, the Steelers forced Denver to punt on their 1st 2 possessions of the 2nd half. When the Steelers got the ball back the second time, they were leading 13-9. It seemed like the perfect time for the Steelers to march down the field and into the endzone to put the game away. Instead, on 1st & 10 Fitz was stuffed for a 1 yard loss. On 2nd & 11, Fitz went nowhere again. With 3rd & 11, they completed a 5 yard reception to RB Jordan Todman. Letting the opponent hang around, especially in their house, is never a good idea. Playing not to lose is a BAD idea.
UGLY
As good as the defense played on Sunday, they certainly had their ugly moments all season long. DC Keith Butler and his charges took some major steps this season but they're still lacking, I don't know.....SOMETHING. Wait! Mrs. Black-N-Gold has it. Let's all say it together, Black-N-Gold Nation. The Steelers need a shutdown corner. Imagine how great it would be to have a guy back there who can seal off half the field for your team. I don't know if the defense would know how to act. And they'd better do it in this draft. If not, wasting your quarterback's prime years, with the best running back and the best wide receiver in the NFL would be a very ugly thing.
Our Steelers are now on the clock with the #25 pick in the draft. Just think how great this team can be next year with Ben, Bell and Brown all healthy, not to mention Pouncey. This team could be unstoppable....all the way to the Super Bowl.
Thank you, Steelers for a fun-filled, memorable season. Can't wait to see you next year. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!
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