Where do you even begin?
A 7-point loss, an offense that was nearly shut out, a roster that now has even more players banged up.
Let’s just say the 2013 season didn’t exactly get off to a strong start for the Steelers.
They will have a lot of soul searching to do following a 16-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans, a team that won six games in 2012.
The Steelers were dominated by the Titans defense, they failed to score on offense, and their best shot at a score came when Isaac Redmen fumbled inside the five to stop the best chance to score all day.
Instead of correcting their mistakes and getting better, instead they got worse, not scoring and never looking in sync the entire day at Heinz Field.
Ben Roethlisberger was harassed by the Titans defense, as he was sacked five times, and the QB on the day went 21-for-33 for 191 yards with TD and a pick.
The Steelers run game was about as bad as it could be, as Redman fumbled twice, LaRod Stephens-Howling led the ground game with 19 yards on 6 carries.
The longest carry of the day for any Steeler back was Redman, who had an 8-yard carry. The guy who was supposed to be the starter had just 9 yards on 8 carries, a 1.1 yard per carry average.
It’s not all his fault, as the offensive line was terrible, and with an early injury to center Maurkice Pouncey, the offense was never close to the same.
The defense didn’t play all that well either, as they never were able to get any type of big plays, and they allowed just too much to Jake Locker and the Titans offense.
Locker was just 11-for-20 for 125 yards with no touchdowns, and no picks, but he was sacked just once, and did enough with his legs to avoid the Steelers rush.
Tennessee’s run game was led by Chris Johnson, who had 70 yards on 25 carries. Again, he didn’t do much to beat the Steelers, but did enough to keep them going.
The Titans outgained the Steelers 225 to 195, and most of those Steelers yards came in the final quarter on the final drive.
Pittsburgh also didn’t do a good job in time of possession getting beat there as well 34:01 to 25:09
The injuries are going to be a major problem, as Pouncey (knee), running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (knee), inside linebacker Larry Foote (bicep) and cornerback Cortez Allen (ankle) all were injured in the loss.
None of those players left, and the players that came in for them didn’t play all that well either.
Redman’s two fumbles may have the Steelers on the phone Monday morning, calling former RB Jonathan Dwyer, who led the team in rushing last season and was cut in final cuts.
Le’Veon Bell is still trying to work his way back from a mid-foot sprain, and without he and TE Heath Miller, this offense looks like it could struggle to score 7-10 points a game.
For now, the entire AFC North is 0-1, as the Bengals and Browns also lost in early action.
The Steelers will have an extra day to get their players ready, as they will play the Bengals in Cincy next Monday night.
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Jalen
September 8, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Jalen says:
September 8, 2013 at 3:49 pm
How long before you homers see the light and see that Tomlin needs to go. Oh I know you non football people will say its not his fault that Pouncey got injured (who coached up decastro?), who puts their number one WR as the pr (coach’s decision), who continually puts a subpar offensive line on the field, who ran leveon bell into the ground during preseason, why is the team coming off an 8-8 season and coming out with this lack of energy on a home opener, it all ultimately falls back on the hc! Lets. It even mention Dwyer which everyone says is a front office money decision but both he and redmen were both slated at higher salaries so why was the worse RB kept,? If you reply it’s Colbert, I’m fine with getting rid of him too! Maybe the Rodney’s should wake up! All in all this is a bad team with an elite QB which is unacceptable!
Chris
September 8, 2013 at 7:10 pm
That was spot on
Mike
September 8, 2013 at 4:51 pm
This team never was the same after they got rid of the fullback . Where are my Steelers!!! The offense is a joke!!! Look who’s in charge of the offense!!! He was a looser in KC now he made us losers !!!
George
September 8, 2013 at 5:27 pm
I like Tomlin but its wearing thin now. I believe his only hope of keeping his job is to fire Todd Haley’s asap. If not his ass will be looking for a job.
Jalen
September 8, 2013 at 5:34 pm
Everyone wants to scapegoat Haley which is fine because he ain’t dong a good job… But Haley is not where the true problem lies.
Gman
September 8, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Steelers to to spend money on quality players, fire coaching staff, and rebuild!
Jalen
September 8, 2013 at 6:02 pm
Amen!
Gman
September 8, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Looks like Steelers can’t contend without a running game and O line. Ben has won two Superbowls but has never been mentioned with the top quarterbacks because he’s unreliable and lacks consistency. No way he should have thrown an interception today or overthrown players. He’s a 10 year player. Steelers no longer the Steel Curtain of the 70’s. lets draft well and develop players. Rooney’s not about winning championships……they ‘re about putting a team on the field as cheap as possible. Come on wake up…..Steeler football is about defense and the run game setting up the pass. Lets get back to the Steeler tradition……Smash mouth football!! I’m a Steelers fan forever no matter what kind of season they’ll have. Steeler pride forever!
matt
September 8, 2013 at 7:05 pm
REhire cowher as GM! look at it. the last 2 SB’s were won and played with who’s guys? cowher and colbert. can you name any tomlin and colbert guys that are serious all stars? i can’t name more than 1 hand. tomlin or colbert needs to go. personally i like tomlin but it’s wearing THIN! ultimately it’s colbert’s calls. cowher WILL be able to get steeler players bring him back and let him reshape the team into the steelers that WORK!
Kirk
September 8, 2013 at 9:59 pm
Jonathan Dwyer was always in Tomlin’s doghouse, and if the Steelers offered him the moon, he would be a fool to return. First, the relationship with Tomlin is/was poisonous. Second, the O-Line is so bad that being a running back for this team requires a kamikaze suicide attitude. The Steeler RBs will all be walking wounded by mid season, and Big Ben may not survive the season.
Jack Stevenson
September 9, 2013 at 7:10 pm
The entire off season was managed poorly. Bring in good players! Right now they should be talking to Brandon Jacobs for starters. The only saving grace for them is the whole division is weak.
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