To most peoples surprise including mine the Steelers managed to lose 13-6 to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night to all but end their hopes of repeating last years Super Bowl win. This slump from 6-2 to 6-7 is difficult to fathom – sure they have had a few injuries, but so have other teams and with a squad as strong as Pittsburgh’s this shouldnt be an excuse. So whats wrong?
Well on Thursday they couldn’t stop the run and couldn’t protect Roethlisberger plain and simple. If your QB is being sacked you are not going to score and giving up 170+ yards rushing against a far from competent running offense is just bad. With Green Bay, The Ravens and Miami to come the Steelers will be very lucky to make the play offs and a 7-9 finish cant be ruled out.