Steeler Face flies flag in Cincy; Steelers blow up in Dallas, lose 24-27 in OT

"One small step for the Steelers, one giant leap for Steeler Nation"

-- the Steeler Face has landed in Cincinnati

Despite two tears in the achilles tendon, a fractured bone spur and a slew of other challenges, the Steeler Face successfully landed in Cincinnati, Ohio and claimed this city for Steeler Nation.  A few native Bengals fans tried to assert that they were here first or something.  However, the Steeler Face quickly countered, "but do you have a flag?"  No?  Then I claim this land for Steeler Nation.

And Steeler Nation did show up in Dallas too!  It's just to bad that the Steelers didn't.

Steeler Nation was in full force at Dallas, as THOUSANDS of 
Steeler fans out cheered the Cowboys fans in Dallas.  Too bad
the loyalty of Steeler Nation was unrewarded.

Yet, AGAIN, the Steelers blow a 4th quarter lead on the road.  This time Pittsburgh led 24-17 with about 7 minutes to go in the game and the Cowboys punted.  Antonio Brown would have likely returned the punt for a game-clinching touchdown except that he forgot to adhere to the fundamentals of the game -- TWO HANDS ON THE BALL.  Instead, a Cowboy defender easily popped the ball out and recovered before a useless Steeler Defense watched Tony Romo throw to wide open receivers to tie the game.

Rather than recapping all of the details, let's focus on the miscues that have consistently plagued this team all year, which I present in no particular order:

(1) Two hands on the football!  Two hands on the football!  It's not just Antonio Brown, it's not just this game.  The Steelers have been stupid sloppy with the ball and it has cost them dearly--especially in this game.

(2) Enough with the bubble screen.  Yet again it was called in a critical game situation, and again it cost Pittsburgh (although not with such devastating consequence as it did last week against San Diego).  Today, it cost the Steelers a precious opportunity to score a touchdown.  On 3rd and 2 near the 10 yard line with 6:03 remaining before half a bubble screen was called that skipped in front of the intended receiver who (in this case) thankfully fell on it so that it wasn't called an "air fumble."  The Steelers had to settle for a field goal when they should have been throwing the ball into the end zone.

(3) Time to rethink the 3-4 defense.  There I said it.  But, how many times are we going to watch Steeler linebackers running behind wide open wide receivers?  I think the NFL has figured out how to beat the Steelers 3-4 -- especially on 3rd and long.  I can hear the counter arguments now -- but we lead the league in rushing yards allowed, or passing yards allowed.  That is a paper champion defense, and isn't going to help Pittsburgh win an actual championship this year or next.

(4) Coaching.  We have continued to suffer through poor clock management.  We've suffered through abysmal play calling (see "Oh how I despise the Bubble Screen", et al., 2011, 2012).  Moreover, this Steelers team is not versed in the fundamentals (e.g., "two hands on the ball at all times").

The season now comes down to Sunday when the Bengals visit Heinz Field.  If the Steelers lose (and they probably will), they're out of the playoffs.  No matter, this team couldn't handle the playoffs anyway (see 1 through 4 above).