Let’s just say Chase Young and the Washington Football Team proved the Pittsburgh Steelers have problems.
For the first time this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are on the opposite side of a winning outcome. Thanks to quality play late from Alex Smith, plus several key stops by the defense, the Steelers fell short against the Washington Football Team, 23-17.
Ben Roethlisberger’s costly interception sealed the fate of their perfect season. However, inadequate play from the offense all afternoon made fans wonder how this was the No.1 team in the AFC entering the week. And after a near-fatal loss last Wednesday to Baltimore Ravens’ third-string quarterback Trace McSorely, there was reason to believe something was off.
According to rookie Chase Young, he felt it.
Young was seen running off the field after a crucial fourth-down stop to win the game. As he headed back to the locker room. he proclaimed that the Steelers were” exposed” the week before by Baltimore’s defense.
And honestly, he might be right.
The Steelers need to right the ship
Drops played a key role in the team’s struggles against Washington’s quality secondary. Diontae Johnson, who had two drops last week against the Ravens, led the team with three drops Monday afternoon. Tight end Eric Ebron finished second with two.
The Steelers’ initial 14-point lead was enough to survive on until late in the fourth quarter. Smith connected with Logan Thomas for a 15-yard touchdown to tie the game at 17. On the next two drives, Smith ate at the clock that led to a pair of field goals from Dustin Hopkins to give them a six-point lead.
Thomas finished with a career night, hauling in nine catches for 98 yards. Meanwhile, Young added to his potential Rookie of the Year campaign with two tackles, five pressures and a quarterback hit.
“I’m just worried about us fluidly moving the football, whether it’s run or pass,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We move it how we choose to move it. The way that we chose to move it tonight wasn’t fluid enough for us to have victory.”
The Steelers not only dropped the ball, but they dropped jaws around the country Monday night. Simply put by Young, they were exposed for the whole NFL to see.