The Pittsburgh Steelers are suddenly in trouble.
Just days after taking a 24-10 home loss to the lowly Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh followed up with a 21-18 loss to the hapless New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football to fall to 7-6 on the season.
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky struggled in place of the injured Kenny Pickett, going 22-for-35 for 190 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
Making matters worse, Trubisky’s failure to execute late combined with Pittsburgh’s baffling playcalling may have cost the Steelers the game.
With just over two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Trubisky and the Steelers were at midfield and putting together a nice drive. Faced with a third-and-two, Trubisky dropped back and fired a 20-yard pass over wide receiver George Pickens’ head. Then on fourth-and-two, he did the same thing but attempted a 40-yard pass to double-covered wide receiver Diontae Johnson. The pass out of Johnson’s reach.
Two downfield passes from Mitchell Trubisky fall incomplete, first on a third-and-two, then on a fourth-and-two.
The Steelers turn the ball over on downs to the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/mxduExWjE1
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 8, 2023
New England was able to run the clock down to 15 seconds before punting it back to Pittsburgh, who was unable to score.
It’s unclear why the Steelers didn’t choose to run the ball either time, especially considering running on third-and-two would have taken them into the two-minute warning where they could have either had extra time to decide on a fourth and short play or had a fresh set of downs needing just a field goal.
Fans on social media were also baffled by the decision.
"It's such a low-percentage throw…give yourself an option. They just threw it up there."
"Totally with you, dude. Totally with you."
Kirk Herbstreit and Al Michaels on a strange play call from the Steelers. pic.twitter.com/fxJd4OK5YR
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 8, 2023
Remember when Matt Canada was the problem for the Steelers? Yeah, those were the days.
— Tim Clark (@timclark89) December 8, 2023
Why do you not simply hand off the ball and run it?
— David Matthew Vinot Jr/MybugfromRoblox (@vinot_jr) December 8, 2023
If this isn’t a fireable offense for Tomlin nothing will be
Like these are the two worst play calls and he had bout 50
YOU NEEEDED 10 yards for a FG
And you’re throwing bombs https://t.co/k6jx3OPxDO
— HowTheProsDoIt (@HowTheProsDo) December 8, 2023
