Sure, this loss means that the Steelers will likely have to play in Tennessee for the AFC Championship game (assuming that both teams win in the divisional round). But, that is about it. The Steelers still have a bye week in the first round, and they are still the number two seed. But, what this loss truly means is that the black & gold brigade now have a chance to do what they do best: gripe. In fact, at times, I am honestly not sure which makes Steelers fans happier: winning or complaining about a loss. In turn, I must now ruin Steelers fans' fun, by telling them that this loss was not all that bad. Obviously, any loss is never a good thing, but this loss is no where near the "end of days" scenario that quite a few of the Steelers faithful have made it out to be.
In fact, if we look at one play, in particular, it can be used as a microcosm for the rest of the game. Trailing by ten, with under thirty seconds remaining in the game, 1) Ben throws in interception 2) over Hines Ward's outstretched arms. Furthermore, as the turnover was being returned by Michael Griffin, 3) only two Steelers players even tried to stop him: Roethlisberger and 4) Mewelde Moore. Meanwhile, Griffin 5) ran eighty-three yards for the final touchdown (and final play) of the game.
First of all, there are the turnovers by Roethlisberger, which came in droves. Along with throwing two interceptions, Ben fumbled the ball four times: two of which were lost... and all of which probably could have been avoided if Ben had been more "careful" with the ball. The worst of the turnovers was Ben's first interception. After exchanging touchdowns, the Steelers were driving down the field; the shoot-out had commenced. Then, as he had done several times in the game, Ben overthrew his intended receiver. Of course, some might argue that Ben fumbling inside the one yard line negated a field goal, but I feel that that play occurred so early on, that it did not "feel" as critical. Conversely, the third quarter interception swung the momentum in Tennessee's favor; plus, it gave the Titans excellent field position.
Secondly, as I have already mentioned, Ben was overthrowing his receivers. As good as Ben was at locating an open receiver, he was equally as bad at placing the ball in a catchable location. In short, several long passes and/or first downs were "left on the field."
Thirdly, there was the lackluster effort by the Steelers, especially by Pittsburgh's defense. Case in point: after sacking Kerry Collins, setting up a third-and-twenty, the Steelers allowed Collins to find a open receiver, along the sidelines, for a gain of nineteen yards and eleven inches. Worse yet, on fourth-and-an-inch, Ike Taylor had a bead on Chris Johnson in the backfield; yet, Taylor slipped... and Johnson waltzed twenty-one yards into the end-zone. In other words, instead of a "turnover on downs" the Titans scored a touchdown. Similarly, after the aforementioned momentum swinging interception (described two paragraphs ago), the Steelers were able to hold the Titans inside of the five yard line, forcing a field goal. Yet, someone on Pittsburgh's defense was called for an asinine penalty, which resulted in a first down for the Titans, and three more chances at a touchdown. In other words, Pittsburgh's defense handed the Titans eleven points.
Fourthly, it is time that someone said it: Mewelde Moore needs to start. I have been a supporter of Willie Parker from day one, but for whatever reason, he is not effective right now. For example, Parker ran the ball eighteen times for twenty-nine yards; Moore ran the ball three times for twenty-eight yards. Similarly, Parker had one reception for two yards; Moore had two catches for twenty yards. Most importantly, Moore seems to "want it" more; he plays with determination... and smarts (e.g. getting out of bounds, to stop the clock). Simply, it is time for Moore to start, and for Parker to spell him.
Lastly, it should be noted that with the game well in hand, Michael Griffin made the final interception and could have easily fallen to the ground; the game would have been over (after a Kerry Collins kneel-down). Yet, Griffin ran around... actively trying to score. In other words, the Titans players felt that they had been slighted by the media in the week leading up to the game; thus, they were going to rub everyone's nose in this victory... even when they could have just as easily knelt-down. If you do not believe me, Google search "LenDale White" and "Terrible Towel."
In summation, the Steelers got their hats handed to them. The Titans were the first team all season to amass over three hundred yards on the Steelers (323). Similarly, even without Kyle Vanden Bosch and Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee's defense disrupted Pittsburgh's offense. That said, while everyone else might be jumping off of Pittsburgh's bandwagon, I like their chances in a rematch against Tennessee. Simply, even playing as poorly as they did, Pittsburgh was one or two plays away from pulling out yet another victory. More importantly, when their backs are against the wall, when no one believes in them, and/or when another team goads them (I'm looking your direction, Mr. White), the Steelers almost always answer the call. So, all of you who have found another team to be your favorite to win the Super Bowl, I bid you farewell... because, I am staying right here.
