Remember...when the Steelers had a passing game? Hines Ward was catching passes. As was Antwaan Randle El. And, Heath "I'm Open!!!" Miller was amassing touchdowns.
Alas, on Sunday, the Packers allowed Ward and Miller only three total receptions (and Randle El had none...again). In fact, Pittsburgh's passing game was so anemic, that Dan Kreider was the leading receiver...with two receptions for 13 yards.
The worst part about Pittsburgh's pathetic offensive performance, was that Green Bay's defense is, in a word, HORRIBLE!!! It boggles the mind how the Steelers could put up such great numbers against two stingy defenses (Cincinnati, Baltimore), yet do nothing against the measly Packers. In fact, Ward and Miller combined for 20 receptions for 186 yards and four touchdowns against the Bengals and Ravens...but were limited to three receptions for 23 total yards and no touchdowns against the Packers.
Again, it boggles the mind.
Of course, Randle El has been pretty non-existent for most of the season. I have to admit that I was the first in line who thought that Antwaan could fill the void left by Plaxico Burress. Looks as though I might be eating some crow sometime soon. Then again, Burress disappeared at times, as well...especially in the play-offs.
But, crying over spilled milk aside, maybe it is time to give Quincy Morgan a chance to start: he could not do any worse. Plus, it would allow Randle El to move back ot the slot position, where he flourished. Regardless, my viewing of highlight tapes of Derek Hagan and Martin Nance has already begun.
Remember...when the Steelers could stop a team on the opening drive of a game and/or the half? The theme for the season continued during the Green Bay game: the Packers opened up the second half with a long touchdown drive.
The worst part is that teams are not just passing on the Steelers: teams are actually running on the Steelers during these drives.
That said, aside from the opening drive of the halves, the Steelers always seem to settle down and become stingy for the rest of the game. For example, Green Bay's running back, Samkon Gado, had 50 rushing yards going into half-time...but, he ended the game with only 62 yards. In other words, the Steelers basically shut down Green Bay's running game in the second half.
Still, the fact that teams are moving the ball on the Steelers is worrisome.
Remember...when the Steelers could get off the field on third down? Pittsburgh's defense relies on the "bend but don't break" mentality. Teams will get tons of yardage between the 20s on the Steelers, but as soon as opponents enter the red-zone, Pittsburgh's defense generally limits the other team to a field goal. Or, the Steelers force a turnover.
Speaking of which, the Packers were in the red-zone, when Bryant McFadden blitzed Brett Favre and forced a fumble, which was recovered and returned 77 yards for a touchdown by Tory Polamalu. While the turnover was great, my mind can not get over the fact that if not for that turnover, Green Bay probably would have scored.
Do not get me wrong: turnovers are important. But, as I have said for weeks, it worries me that the Steelers have to depend on turnovers to stop teams. I would much prefer that the Steelers forced teams to go three-and-out. But, that would require a decent pass rush...which the Steelers are lacking right now. Speaking of which...
