Sunday Night Football’s loss was far from just another defeat for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was a unique opportunity to test themselves against a team with similar ambitions like the Green Bay Packers; however, crucial mistakes ultimately proved very costly for Aaron Rodgers’ squad.
If there’s one thing the veteran QB knows for sure, it’s that minimizing mistakes is key to achieving big things in the NFL. That was one of the Steelers’ shortcomings under Mike Tomlin last night at home.
“I just feel like we had some discipline issues and some penalties that were unnecessary. Then, you’re not going to win a lot of games when we’re so bad on third down,” Rodgers said via steelernation.com. “You’re playing good teams, you need to score touchdowns, and we just stalled out in the high red zone.”
It wasn’t the best of nights, that’s clear — especially considering they let a clear lead slip away by halftime. It’s time for Pittsburgh to regroup, focus on its next matchup against the Colts, and learn from its mistakes to avoid repeating them going forward.
Mistakes that can’t be repeated
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ bid for legitimacy is being crippled by self-inflicted wounds that must be immediately addressed. Unnecessary, post-whistle penalties and catastrophic defensive breakdowns—particularly the inability to cover opposing pass-catchers in critical moments—are not the hallmarks of a contender.
If Mike Tomlin’s team is to make a serious run, it must regain its trademark discipline and stop gifting opponents free yardage and easy scores in crunch time. Ahead, Rodgers and company face a tough test against the Colts, a team that leaves virtually no room for error.
What’s next for the Steelers?
Pittsburgh faces a crucial three-game stretch that will define its playoff aspirations as it approaches the holiday season. The Steelers must first regroup at home against the surging Indianapolis Colts, who boast an explosive offense. That is followed by a daunting trip to the West Coast for a primetime clash against the talented Los Angeles Chargers.
The toughest test, however, is saved for last, as the AFC North gauntlet continues with a pivotal home rematch against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. This trio of contests offers zero room for error and represents a true litmus test of whether Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin’s squad belongs in the contender conversation.