The Steelers as soon as once more collapsed within the second half, the protection giving option to a Payments run recreation deploying reserves. A kind of reserves, Alec Anderson, appeared somewhat happy to be Pittsburgh on its house turf. Though he botched the terminology, he spent his post-game interview basking in Buffalo’s achievement.
Requested in regards to the Payments’ 249-yard speeding effort, a document in opposition to the Steelers’ protection at house, he beamed. “It signifies that we now have the most effective offensive line within the league for the run recreation. We come into a spot that’s recognized for the Iron Curtain [Steel Curtain] and type of tear it down?”, Anderson mentioned, through the Payments’ web site. “I believe it was an incredible expertise for your complete offense this 12 months, and in addition the protection shutting them down and solely holding them to at least one landing”.
Now, the Steelers holding issues in verify on protection within the first half, minus some leaks within the run recreation. They held the Payments to only three factors, which in itself is a formidable achievement. However then, you understand, the second half occurred, and it was all dangerous. Buffalo solely possessed the ball thrice on offense, they usually scored every crew on lengthy drives.
As you would possibly recall, the Payments opened the second half by recording a strip sack in opposition to Aaron Rodgers, scooping and scoring for a landing. After an interception set them up on their very own 44, they produced a 4:27 landing drive spanning eight performs. Their last two drives every lasted greater than eight minutes.
In case you couldn’t guess, the Payments dominated the Steelers by way of time of possession. By the tip of the third quarter, they already managed the ball for over 32 minutes. Ultimately, they completed with one second shy of 42 minutes of possession.
And that wasn’t due to the offense—no less than not completely. As T.J. Watt astutely identified, the Steelers protection solely has itself in charge. Sure, brief drives on offense could make a protection extra drained. However a protection can get itself relaxation by getting off the sphere. They solely allowed one drive of underneath 3:20 your complete recreation. Out of eight drives, 5 lasted greater than 4 minutes, three greater than seven minutes.
Now, the Steelers’ curtain was by no means Iron, as Alec Armstrong mentioned, but it surely actually wasn’t manufactured from Metal final night time. They embarrassed themselves in opposition to the run to the purpose that they allowed the Payments to regulate them on the bottom. That they had a recreation plan they usually executed it. And Payton Wilson even mentioned they ready for Buffalo’s method, which, if true, speaks to how dangerous the execution was.
