Steelers Fever Exclusive Editorial: One Play

[Bayz101]

Wednesday, October 16th, 2012
By Tiger Rowan
Steelers Fever Columnist

Sometimes, games just simply come down to one play. That one play can be magnified when it is the last play of the game (e.g. a Hail Mary touchdown; a Scott Norwood missed field goal). At other times, that one play can happen earlier, yet still change the outcome of a game (e.g. a hundred-yard pick six by James Harrison in the SuperBowl). I get that and understand that; the ball is oddly-shaped, and does not always bounce the correct way. BUT, against a very poor team, such as the Titans, the balance of the game should NOT lie in that one play. In other words, the Steelers should have already been far enough ahead, that that one play would not have ruined their night.

Speaking of Scott Norwood, let us venture back in time, and take a look at the 1990 New York Giants. That team was barely eking out games. They played in a multitude of close games (games decided by less than three points), but regardless of whether the games were pretty or not, the Giants still won. That team always seemed to have that “one play” that went in their favor, which launched them into victory… with the poster-child play being the aforementioned Scott Norwood missed field goal.

Back to the Steelers.

Not only does this current Steelers team not establish much of an early lead and/or make game-changing plays throughout the course of the game, it seems that, more importantly, at crucial moments (specifically, at the end of games), they can not make that “one play” needed in order to seal a victory.

In Denver, despite the ups & downs of the rest of the game, at the end, Ben Roethlisberger looked prepared to tie the game… only to throw a pick six. In Oakland, towards the end of the game, Pittsburgh’s offense sputtered, while its defense simultaneously allowed the Raiders to score on their final five possessions… with nary a game-changing play during that final stretch. And, in Tennessee, well, it was a heart-breaking, last-second, game-winning field goal by the Titans.

Simply, all three of these losses could have been avoided, with one play.

I know, I know: I have heard time & time again that the course of a game has many twists & turns, and that one play can not decide a game… but, think about all of the following plays, which could have made a difference, in the Tennessee game.

Read more: http://www.steelersfever.com/editorials/1016.html

[teegre]

As always, thanks Bayz.

[maddog78]

Two sides to that coin. If we can't make those plays against Tennessee and Oakland, maybe we're just not that good. I'm sure Cleveland could play this game, too.

Good teams make those plays.

[Hawaii 5-0]

Originally Posted by maddog78

Two sides to that coin. If we can't make those plays against Tennessee and Oakland, maybe we're just not that good. I'm sure Cleveland could play this game, too.

Good teams make those plays.

good players make those plays, maybe we need more playmakers...

[teegre]

Originally Posted by maddog78

Two sides to that coin. If we can't make those plays against Tennessee and Oakland, maybe we're just not that good. I'm sure Cleveland could play this game, too.

Good teams make those plays.

The point is still the same: this season is far from over for PITT.

BALT is 5-1, but could very easily be 2-4... if a FG is made (DAL), if a TD isn't taken away (KC), and if a FG is not given to them (NE).

The difference between the "top seed" & "where the Steelers currently reside" is a slim margin.

The Ravens are also now having to deal with injuries... something that the Steelers have already been dealing with. The Ravens WILL drop 4-5 more games, specifically, the two head-to-head games against the Steelers. And, the Steelers are going to get healthier.

The Taperiots are 3-3... as is every team in their division. The Chargers & Broncos are both 3-3. And, while the Texans have looked really good, they just lost Brian Cushing.

And, the only undefeated team (the Falcons) got pummeled by the Raidahs... barely eking out a win. OAK dominated every facet if that game, except for the score. In other words, the league is rife with parody; anybody can beat anyone on any given Sunday. Here is an even better example of this parody:

The Cards beat the Taperiots, who beat the Bills, who beat the Cards. (Make sense?)

[teegre]

Originally Posted by Hawaii 5-0

good players make those plays, maybe we need more playmakers...

I concur 100%.

http://www.steelersfever.com/editorials/1012.html

And, those playmakers are on offense.

[Hawaii 5-0]

Originally Posted by teegre

I concur 100%.

http://www.steelersfever.com/editorials/1012.html

And, those playmakers are on offense.

did you write that editorial?

[Bayz101]

Originally Posted by Hawaii 5-0

did you write that editorial?

Yes he did. Tiger (Teegre) has written several over the last month, and you can view them here: http://www.steelersfever.com/editorials.html

Our other columnist is Travis Boariu (Stainless Still), and you can view his articles their too.

[Rick5895]

The play that points to the loss in Tennessee to me more than any other play is ..Titans on the TD tying drive in the 4th (eventually make 23-23) Keenan Lewis has the ball thrown right to him, hits him in the chest and he drops the ball. That is the play that hurt us the most. He catches that ball , we get good field position and quite possible looking at a 10 or 14 point win. Those are they types of plays we are failing at this season.

[teegre]

Originally Posted by Rick5895

The play that points to the loss in Tennessee to me more than any other play is ..Titans on the TD tying drive in the 4th (eventually make 23-23) Keenan Lewis has the ball thrown right to him, hits him in the chest and he drops the ball. That is the play that hurt us the most. He catches that ball , we get good field position and quite possible looking at a 10 or 14 point win. Those are they types of plays we are failing at this season.

That's the play that Colin Cowherd pointed at as well. He said something like, "I'm not burying the Steelers. If Keenan Lewis could catch, this game wouldn't have been close."