Momentum is a peculiar thing. Either a team has it, or it does not. There is no way to artificially create momentum, but every team would do so, if they could. Simply, momentum might be the most important factor in winning a football game.
A week after losing to Jacksonville, the Steelers came out on fire against the Bengals. The Steelers drove down the field and scored a touchdown on their opening possession. Meanwhile, the Bengals could muster nary a first down. Carson Palmer was harassed...and harangued...and hassled. Then, just as the Steelers were about to drive the proverbial nail into Cincinnati's coffin (first and goal from the 3 yard-line), Ben Roethlisberger tossed one of the most ill-advised passes I have ever seen him throw. To say that Ben's target was covered is an understatement: Heath Miller was surrounded by four Cincinnati defensive backs.
In turn, the momentum swing was huge. Instead of going up 14-0, the Steelers gave the ball back to the Bengals. Thankfully, Cincinnati had to start their drive at their own 3 yard line. Now, at the risk of sounding like a broken record (see "Ebb & Flow" from two weeks ago), the Steelers needed to put the interception behind them...and play defense. Alas, Pittsburgh allowed Carson Palmer to drive his team 97 yards for the game-tying touchdown. Any and all momentum that the Steelers had garnered in the first quarter, disappeared with that pass.
The Steelers offense came back onto the field, intent on righting the ship. Ben drove his team down to the Bengals 23 yard line, before the drive was stalled by a sack at the 30 yard line. Jeff Reed's 48 yard field goal would have given the Steelers some momentum going into half-time. Alas, the Bengals blocked the field goal...and in under a minute, Carson threw his second touchdown of the day to Chris Henry.
It is rumored that billows of air poured out of Heinz field at that point...or, at least, it felt that way.
Then, just as Steelers fans world wide were searching for their nooses and razor-blades, the Steelers opened the second half by kicking a field goal, intercepting Carson Palmer, and scoring a touchdown. The momentum pendulum had once again swung in Pittsburgh's direction. In fact, Pittsburgh's defense completely shut down Cincinnati's vaunted offense during the second half...until Ricardo Colclough fumbled a punt at the 9 yard-line.
It should be noted that as the punt was flying through the air, my only thought was, "Colclough, please catch it." In years past, I have generally hoped for 20 yards per return. Alas, this year, the return game is so weak that I have been limited to hoping for a fair catch. In other words, the Steelers drafted Willie Reid for a reason, yet a stone-handed cornerback is trying to catch punts.
Still, if the Steelers could limit the Bengals to a field goal, then the momentum would not all be lost. Unfortunately, the Steelers (once again) forgot to "move on" and play defense: one play after the muffed punt, the Bengals scored their third touchdown of the day.
Then, 53 seconds later, Verron Haynes fumbled. The Pittsburgh defense pouted (instead of playing football). And, the Bengals scored yet another touchdown...in just one play on offense.
This final momentum switch was so grand, that by the time that Nate Washington dropped a touchdown pass in the end-zone, barely anyone noticed.
In summation, Cincinnati's offense is amazing, and Pittsburgh could not afford to give them second chances (via turnovers)...let alone fourth and fifth chances. In other words, on a day where Pittsburgh's defense dominated Cincinnati's offense for most of the game, poor decision-making and lackluster play allowed the Bengals to stay in the game. Furthermore, swings in momentum created by the fumbles and/or interceptions were exacerbated by Pittsburgh's inability to "move on" and play defense right after those turnovers. In other words, the Steelers lost the momentum, and in turn, lost a very winnable game...due to their own lack of focus and/or effort. They have no one to blame but themselves.
