I listened to the sport from Roncesvalles, Spain, within the Pyrenees Mountains. There’s plenty of historical past right here, going again to 778 on this neighborhood. Roncesvalles (referred to as Orreaga in Basque) has been a waypoint on the Camino Francés (French Means), the most well-liked route of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, for over 1,200 years—since not less than the ninth century.
Its function developed from a strategic mountain cross tracing the 778 Battle of Roncesvalles, the place Charlemagne’s rearguard, led by Roland, was overwhelmed, to a stopping level for pilgrims trekking on a holy stroll. The lodge I’m staying at is in a constructing relationship again to the 1600s.
Sadly, after watching some replays since I couldn’t watch the sport dwell, it looks as if the 2025 Steelers are constructing a historical past of their very own, and never in a great way.
Lack of Protection
The Steelers have given up over 30 factors in 4 of their first seven video games. A number of groups within the Steelers’ worst decade within the Nineteen Sixties matched that feat. The protection bottled up the run. However the Inexperienced Bay Packers by no means dedicated to the run. Simply fast passes the place receivers exploited poor tackling for loads of yards after catches.
Nonetheless, the Steelers held a 16-7 first-half lead. However a play on third down on the Packers’ first second-half possession broke the workforce. Jordan Love threw a desperation cross below heavy stress. The ball fluttered excessive within the air. Tyler Kraft pushed off a defender with two fingers to create separation for a 59-yard reception. DeShon Elliott got here down awkwardly, injuring his knee. The Steelers by no means recovered from this loss within the defensive backfield.
Previous to this, the protection had held on a number of third downs in opposition to the NFL’s most effective workforce on third down. However the Packers adjusted and cruised within the second half. At one level, Love accomplished 20 straight passes. Kraft is an effective tight finish. However he’s not an athletic freak. He ran a pedestrian 4.69 40 within the mix. But Steelers defensive backs had been at all times a step or two behind him. The Steelers invested closely in veteran defensive backs: Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Juan Thornhill, Jabrill Peppers, and Chuck Clark. That group has one interception by Ramsey amongst them. The protection has gone three straight video games and not using a takeaway. Proper now, the experiment is failing.
Atrocious NFL Officiating
I’m not blaming the atrocious NFL officiating on the Steelers’ loss. But it surely definitely didn’t assist. My opinion is that officiating has gotten worse even because the NFL provides extra opinions and know-how. Frankly, I wouldn’t watch the NFL if Pittsburgh didn’t have a workforce. It’s getting as dangerous because the NBA, which was simply hit with a sequence of arrests involving sports activities betting. Some individuals might recall that the NBA had a game-fixing scandal a number of years again involving a referee again in 2007.
The officers on this sport may have brought about as a lot as a 14-point swing. First was the plain offside on the Steelers’ first drive of the second half with a 16-7 lead. The dearth of a flag on such an apparent offside was confounding. Aaron Rodgers was visibly shocked as he thought that they had a free play. In fact, a rating was not assured on this drive. However the Steelers had the momentum, and the no-call stopped any likelihood of a rating.
Then, after the Steelers punted, Love threw the excessive, wobbly cross when Kraft pushed off to create separation. As an alternative of a 3rd and lengthy, Kraft had a 59-yard reception, and the Packers pulled inside two factors, 16-14, to start out the second half. This was nice to maintain viewers . A 23-7 Steelers lead might have led to individuals switching the channel.
As the sport progressed, Nick Herbig and DK Metcalf drew private fouls, and the workforce misplaced composure on each side of the ball.
This was not helped by the various visiting Packers followers who had been loud and proud. Few groups have sufficient followers to take over Acrisure Stadium. I noticed Buffalo and San Francisco do it in a house opener a number of years again. I see some followers who attended bleating about season ticket holders promoting to Packers followers. Information Flash: When a season ticket holder resells their tickets on Ticketmaster or StubHub, they don’t have any management over who buys the ticket. If you need extra Steelers followers, purchase the tickets and share them with your mates. However successful soccer is the one positive solution to get extra Steelers followers at dwelling video games.
Dive Deeper with Steelers Depot
For deeper sport evaluation, examine these Steelers Depot staples:
Steelers 5 Keys to Victory by Tom Mead
Steelers versus Packers Prediction by Alex Kozora
Recap Steelers versus Packers by Jake Brockhoff
Steelers versus Packers Winners and Losers by Alex Kozora
Positional Grades Steelers versus Packers by Josh Carney
Tom’s Ten Takes on Steelers versus Packers by Tom Mead
Pay attention: Kozora Recap and Evaluation to Steelers versus Packers by Alex Kozora
Stats of the Bizarre Steelers versus Packers by Alex Kozora
Conclusion
The Steelers are in bother. Aaron Rodgers and the offense should not sufficient to beat a porous protection. The Steelers invested in veteran defensive backs, however the experiment is failing.
The Steelers blew one other alternative to take management of the AFC North. The Bengals misplaced to the Jets. Subsequent up is the red-hot Indianapolis Colts. The Steelers’ heavy bundle could also be impacted by Isaac Seumalo’s pectoral damage if Spencer Anderson should substitute him at guard. Might we see Andrus Peat get his first snaps in a Steelers uniform?
The Steelers misplaced beginning security DeShon Elliott and run-stuffing defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale. A Steelers protection that’s arguably worse than the Bengals’ and Ravens’ much-maligned defenses is even weaker popping out of this sport—strap in your seatbelts. Right here we go.
It’s going to take plenty of religion. As a result of proper now there may be not plenty of proof the workforce is on an upward path.
Fan’s Tune Decide
The Steelers gave us some hope. Then the workforce simply fell aside. Right here is Limbo Rock – how low can they go?
