The Steelers Lose To The Browns?

by Brandon on Dec 10, 2009 11:39 PM CST in News Comment 14 comments

This post is kind of looking ahead to the Green Bay Packers opponent in two weeks, but the score shocked me. Browns 13, Steelers 6. It's the Steelers 5th straight loss, and they've fallen to 6-7. I didn't watch the game, so Behind The Steel Curtain or JJ Cooper are probably better sources who could explain what's gone wrong for the defending champs. One thing that jumps out is that this is their 3rd game in past 11 days, so these guys have to be exhausted. But I've noticed a couple other things, statistically, about the Steelers in recent weeks.

While the Packers have been the worst special teams unit in the NFL for most of the season, according to Football Outsiders, their only real challenger for the bottom spot has been the Steelers. So it might not be a surprise to see that the Browns are the best special teams unit in the NFL, and special teams ace KR Josh Cribbs had a huge night against them, with 200 all purpose yards.

The other thing that jumps out about the Steelers is how their defense has statistically collapsed. When I posted about the Steelers at Ravens back on November 30th, the Steelers had the No. 3 defense according to Football Outsiders. After loses to the Ravens and Raiders, their defense has slid down to No. 10. It won't fall much this week, the Browns only managed 255 yards on offense, but the Steelers offense will fall hard after managing only 216 yards against the Browns' awful defense.

Has anyone watched the Steelers over the last few weeks? I know they've missed S Troy Polamalu, but the loss of one player can't wreck a defending Super Bowl champ?

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Casey Hampton is not the same player

he was even last year. If the nose isn’t playing well in the 3-4, then you won’t be a great defense. He’s a free agent this year, and I am positive he won’t be back with the Steelers. Ziggy Hood probably is going to take his space.

The offensive line was really destroyed by a pretty average if not below average Browns d-line tonight. If most of our d-line is healthy for the game, we should be able to win.

Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey

by jobe on Dec 11, 2009 12:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

"One thing that jumps out is that this is their 3rd game in past 11 days"

Pffft, the REALLY good teams in the NFL find ways to overcome that kind of schedule without a problem…

;)

by vitaminx on Dec 11, 2009 1:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

11/15 Dallas Cowboys W, 17-7
11/22 San Francisco 49ers W, 30-24
11/26 @ Detroit Lions W, 34-12

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Dec 11, 2009 11:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ugly Thursday

That Thursday game on a short week is tough. The Packers won their Thursday game, but that was against the Lions (who looked awful). Those last two Thursday night games, Buffalo/Jets and Browns/Steelers, were two ugly games. Or back on Thanksgiving, the Giants looked awful in Denver, but the G-men have played pretty well since. Maybe that’s a compliment to the Packers and Broncos, for playing so well on a Thursday game, but based on that small sample size, teams seem to struggle with it.

by Brandon on Dec 11, 2009 10:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Amazing…I’ve never seen a team collapse like this. They looked GREAT earlier in the season and were a fav to repeat or at least get there. They have a FEW injuries but not THAT many so they can’t even use that as an excuse! I just hope they don’t rush Troy back…I like seeing him in commercials and on the sidelines when they play the packers! :-)

by TrevorR on Dec 11, 2009 9:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Madden Curse Strikes Again!

Troy Polamalu hurt all season.

by chewie on Dec 11, 2009 11:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

They cheated this year and split the cover though. Still waiting for the other leg to fall.

by TrevorR on Dec 11, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I saw the final drive Pittsburgh had against Oakland.

Every time you thought the Steelers would hold the Raiders, there was either a defensive collapse or a penalty which kept the drive alive. In the end, it was only a matter of how much time would be left on the clock when Oakland scored.

Bound for New York City: January 6-9! Can't wait!

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Dec 11, 2009 12:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Excuse me.

Should read “I saw the final drive Oakland had against Pittsburgh.”

Bound for New York City: January 6-9! Can't wait!

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Dec 11, 2009 12:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Attention Troy Polamalu

Attention Troy Polamalu – please report to the starting line up.
Attention Troy Polamalu – please report to the starting line up IMMEDIATELY. Seriously, as a physical therapist, he doesn’t need to rush an injury like he has, but I mean come on guys. Get it together. You have collapsed unnecessarily. What is WRONG???

by Stace on Dec 11, 2009 1:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The Steelers have really missed Polamalu this year

…but their defense played pretty well Thursday night. They only gave up one drive longer than 36 yards, and shut out the Browns in the second half.

The problem was on offense: Roethlisburger was sacked eight (eight!) times for 60 yards. Combine that with miserable field position, and you should begin to see why they only scored a couple field goals.

by DaveInTucson on Dec 11, 2009 6:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah…but it was the Browns!

…and if it was a one time thing I would probably write it off, but this is the 3rd loss to a bad team now.

by TrevorR on Dec 12, 2009 12:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Browns don't completely suck...

Their special teams unit has the #1 DVOA ranking right now (mostly thanks to Josh Cribbs). Going against the Steelers #31-ranked special teams, it’s no surprise the game was mostly played on the Steelers’ side of the field.

by DaveInTucson on Dec 12, 2009 10:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

that loss kinda scares me.

We will be playing at their house. They will be coming off a long week and will be hungry to overcome an awful loss. But then again maybe they are just that bad. But they still worry me for next week, which makes tomorrows game that much more important

by bizzle4 on Dec 12, 2009 1:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs