MasterStrategist

Exactly. This game should have been over in the first half, as it easily could have 10 or 14-0 after the first 7 min. That's why it takes a few days sometimes to circle back here with rationale thoughts about the game. Still things to critique and correct, but overall just let one slip away. Quite possible we will get another crack at them in the playoffs. Until then, time to get the W this week

And are you interacting with the players? Must be alot of Lambeau leaps

Regardless of the motivation behind this decision, it is a big leap to say this is government control by any means. Up Bills organization to make any rule and enforce them, as they choose. It could be as polarizing as vaccines, or not allowing an intoxicated fan to purchase alcohol at a vendor in the stadium. Where do we draw the line? Where each of us want? Again, it's up to the team. Then, in turn, nobody is forcing anyone to get vaccinated. Your choice, your freedom, just like the Bills choice and their freedom. And negative covid testing would absolutely be enforced like last season. It would be through a single provider/lab, just like the NFL. As far as masking outside (for non vaccinated), please point me to the data that has studied NFL-like events with 70k fans screaming/droplets flying and hi-fiving/hugging. To me, that's no different than being inside if someone accidentally spits on you while screaming. I'm for personal choice too, but not limiting businesses choices in the manner. Up to you if you want to abide by the new rules, or find other means to enjoy the entertainment.

Couple key points you are missing: 1. If they did the COVID testing option, like last playoffs, it was only at stadium parking lot. That already put a burden on the team and Healthcare labs/others to get that organized. Not to mention that option made it challenging for out of state fans to attend 2. Unvaccinnated and Negative test & MASK. the capitalized part was the rules for opener and as mentioned by many, and I can attest as I attended, that very few had a mask on (can't imagine 98% fans were vaccinated). The team already gave thr general public a chance to abide by the rules, and they did not. By the way, if you are going to be this upset, go take 30 min to get the jab. Already spent more time posting about this topic. I understand it's your freedom to not get a vaccine that is FDA approved, but if you truly want to attend the games then you have a choice.

Heck of a recap and write-up. As a fellow out of towner, albeit closer to Pittsburgh, was cool to read about the great food options discussed above and the other thread you started. Look forward to trying Bar Bill sometime soon. I'd add, that it was a pleasant surprise to see fewer Steeler fans than I expected. Historically, the stadium would have been 40%+ Steeler colors. As far as the game, your takeaways and recap was exactly what I noticed. I was sitting in front of the Davis TD and that was one heck of a pass/catch. Regarding Daboll, I was livid that we didn't run or attempt to run more with Motor (agreed with your other thread he looks like a stud back this year). But after watching the replay and couple days to digest the loss, I do think Josh missed more throws and opportunities than I originally thought. We moved the ball well at times and just stalled. I put more blame on Daboll originally, but think this was balanced between him and Josh/oline lack of execution. I still would like to see Daboll adjust, but he's seeing these guys up close in practice each day and likely how talented this passing game can be. I question McDermott not kicking the FG with Bass either. 4th and 9, is a small window for a good outcome vs a strong legged kicker from 55 yards out (against the wind, yes, but I'd think higher chance of success).

Look it, I agree. Daboll can get too cute. My original comment was to say this was a high risk/high reward type play call, and it backfired. But we'd be all singing a different tune if it panned out. Daboll has had some creative gems in past seasons, this was not one of them. Then this 2nd post was to simply explain what Daboll was trying to do schematically, which was very similar/same concept as the 2004 play. Get defense thinking QB sneak, then pitch it wide to a speed back. On top of that, the added jet motion was eye candy. Obviously none of it worked and completely was blown up. For the record, I'm just too risk averse to like a playcall in that situation. Steelers had it defended, and this is why we have a Zack Moss RB, but with him not dressed, it hampers these situations.

There's 3 phases to football and nobody is saying the defense is reacting like your post above. And I know you know this. Simple fact, blocked punt led to 7 points. If you and others want to call out the defense for their 2nd half performance, obviously go for it. But as I've said in other threads: 1. Momentum was given to the Steeler offense 2x, on failed 4th down conversions. Like it or not, that's a real thing and impacts the play going forward in the game 2. Two questionable penalties, took away an early INT and then the second took away a 3rd down stop and led to a Steeler TD. 3. Steelers have a talented offense, they did this to Cleveland and Colts at the end of last year (play bad in 1st half then turn it on in 2nd half). Just my opinion, but I'm looking at the overall performance and very pleased with the defense effort.

Actually McKenzie came in jet sweep motion, faking the jet sweep (he never came.into the backfield). So it was designed to get the defense to hesitate or think it was going to the right or Josh on a a sneak. Neither faked.out the Steelers. In addition, it was poorly executed by Gilliam and Spencer Brown. Go watch the replay, Brown gets tossed aside by Ingram and Gilliam doesn't get to the edge to block the corner. Either way it's over with and onto Miami

Yes, but more than that, I think it had a huge impact on the defensive performance from then on out. Second guessing is easy tho, so I trust coach and like his aggressiveness. Yep, we are on the same page with most of this. I just think it was alot to ask the defense to contain Steelers all game long, they are too talented and well coached. At some point they were going to break through. On to Miami, I liked Frazier quotes and Poyers today about needing to get takeaways. That was the only thing missing yesterday, although Tre's pick should have been it, but hopefully they can get that going this week That was literally the same play Daboll called. I don't think it schematically was any different, just poorly executed. Allen took the snap to the left, like he was running the speed option. And the defense alignment was ready for it, even Tomlin called that out in his presser. Either Josh should have audibled, or coaches should have recognized the defense formation and called timeout

Thanks for posting. Matakevich was interviewed and said this "scheme" that Pitt ran, was something they practiced against all week. So they had the looks to go over, but Tyler stopped short of whose fault it was...likely he didn't know either until reviewing the film. I'd surmise it was less on Haack and more on the protection breaking down. This is just a guess, but either Klein needing to step down or Johnson. Either way, very rare to see a blocked punt(and go for 6) in the NFL. But happening 2x within 3 years (Pats in 2019), is concerning to say the least. Alot of "learning moments" to take away from this game. Not what anyone wants, but there were "flat" (mental lapse) moments that should get fixed quickly. Like I've seen others say, can't open against the Jets each year and Pitt was a motivated/very good team coming into this

Momentum is a big thing and when we didn't convert you could feel that air leave the stadium, and it also impacted the defense. Not an excuse. But we can't expect the defense to bail out the offense constantly. To answer your question, it's nonsense because: Steelers get paid too, and have some very good offensive players as well. Not like they lit us up either. Ben did his old self and made a good escaping pocket play to hit Freimermuth down the seam. Claypool got Levi to give up a big DPI, questionable, but those 2 plays were the difference for 10 points essentially. Maybe we had different expectations, but I thought Pittsburgh's offense would still be able to score on us in this game, despite the new oline. Ben is not once what he was, but like last season, Steelers were very much a "30 minute team" in games. They are exactly the same in that aspect, atbleast Game 1. That said, I predicted a 30-20 Bills victory, and we gave up 16 points. I don't care if those all came in the 1st half, or 2nd half. To me, we gave away the Momentum after both failed 4th down conversions. That was the clear turning point.

It was a big risk, not what I'd call I that situation either, but disagree that we wouldn't be talking about this play if it had worked. Again, I'm not defending the call, just stating the obvious and Daboll has tendencies to be an agressive/risky play caller and sometimes they pay off and other times they don't.

Disagree about this 2nd half nonsense. Yes, Steelers scored on consecutive drives. BUT... 1. they started with great Field position on 2 of those 2. Penalties, questionable on Tre and Levi led to 2 scoring drives 3. We held them to 2 FGs and just 1 TD We should be saying, why weren't we up by more than 10+ at halftime? Defense stopped a HOF qb, top 5 skill postion group for 30 min and gave our offense many chances to put the game away. Defense wasn't the problem, it didn't win the game for us but certainly performed well above what we needed for a win

Not defending the call, but we do run QB sneaks almost always on 4th and 1 (since Josh) and had already did 1 earlier on 3rd down. That said, it was a super aggressive call that either works or in this case, makes the off coordinator look like a fool. I'd have rather we sneak it or hand it to Motor, but if that play would have busted open then we'd all be saying something different

Not completely untrue, but some major things to consider. 1. 1st half our defense played way better than expected. To shut out a team with as many weapons as Steelers have is not easy. 2. Giving up 16 points in a single half, on paper seems below average. But consider that Steelers were given great field position on 3 separate occasions (turnover and 2 4th down missed conversions). Also, a couple key penalties provided them and extended drives/points. Both penalties (White holding and Wallace PI) were questionable at best 3. 3 FGs and just 1 TD. That's what our defense surrendered to a team with a HOF QB, a top 5 skille position group, and a new off coordinator that brings challenges to prepare for Bottom line, nobody should be questioning the defense or its performance. This was all on the offense/poor execution, poor pass protection by oline, 1 ST blunder, and 2-3 very bad playcalls that gave Pitt the momentum back. We should have been leading by 14+ points after our 1st half defensive performance, and the great return by Isaih to start the game. On to week 2. Up to the coaches and players to learn from these mistakes and become a better team from it. Sometimes these losses can be the catalyst needed, or the measuring stick, to adjust future gameplans or personnel.

1. Coaching/play calls in "momentum" points was horrible today. Big swing to Steeler side. 2. Josh didn't play well, to his standard, but it's not entirely on him. 3. Off Line struggled against 4 man rushes/stunts and generally didn't give enough protection. On top of that, was called for numerous holding penalties. This needs to clean up 4. Because of #3, Josh seemed to lose trust in his protection and think he rushed a couple throws/also missed opprutuines for bigger plays 5. We need some splash plays, credit Steelers for not allowing many today..but 6. If defenses are going to go with 2 deep safeties, we need to run. No excuse today that we didn't take what Steelers gave us, which would have been 4-5 yard runs with Motor. 7. Daboll did an excellent job last season, but no need to get too cute with the 3rd and 4th and shorts. 8. It's OK to be pass heavy, but get more multiple with our formations. Today, 4/5 wr empty sets was working at times. But mix it up and keep the defense off balance. Can't let a great def line pin their ears back all game 9. We need to get Josh deep ball accuracy to improve. That's going to be a glaring issue in how teams defend us, if it continues. 1 game, so I'm only saying he needs to work on it and get it right soon 10. Finally, 1 game won't define this offense or team. Steelers defense is still legit, and full of premium talent. Have faith coaches this back on track in week 2

Let's do this! Big play on defense to start this 2nd half

Glad to see Bills Fans not giving up their tix

Agree. Who are these 7 DBs? Obviously Minkah and Edmunds at safety, Haden and Sutton (inside or out?), then a trio of Pierre/Witherspoon/Norwood/Maulett? Keith Butler /Mike Tomlin have always come across sure of themselves, so this is no different. But it's borderline arrogance their macho bravado, much different than McD style. Their fans follow suit with the extreme confidence. Back to the 7 DB comment, highly unlikely, but do expect them to mix in dime looks (same.as they did last season), and variety of pressure packages. I mean this isn't Bmores or KCs secondary from last season, actually its arguably a worse secondary than we faced last 2 seasons from them. Flip side of story, I have a lot of faith in Daboll and the offense to be well prepared.

First thing people need to do, is forget what we saw Pitt do the last 2 years against us, or what we did against them. Much different team, new offensive coordinator and a healthier group (albeit Tuitt). That said, Canada is all about winning on the "possession downs". Expect healthy dose of rushing attack/screens/check downs to Najee, playaction (which they never ran last 2 seasons), pre-snap motions (like our offense) and alot of 3-step drops. We need to counter by being aggressive, jamming their WRs (which has been an emphasis with our secondary this TC) and get Juju and Claypool frustrated, and keep Najee in check. Blitzing on early downs to keep the sticks in our favor for 3rd downs. Then stunt like crazy against that young oline on 3rd, try to overload/zone blitz and make their o-line confused. Ben is good for holding that ball out 1-2x a game for a strip sack, need to take advantage of that. Then offensively, find a way to keep Hayward out of the backfield and keep ourselves out of 3rd and long (their exotic/slot blitzes). They are susceptible to the deep pass and think Sanders/Beas are I store for a potentially huge game (100 yr each). I think they will try and bracket Diggs, but not sure it will matter he will get his touches. Prediction: Bills-30 Steelers -20. McKenzie breaks a long punt return (no Td, but 30+) and Edmunds tips a pass into the waiting arms of Hyde

I agree Motor looks in great shape! Need to keep him healthy if he'll have a shot. I think he has a decent chance at 1k all-purpose. Only reason the rushing might be challenging, is just touches. I can't see him carrying 15x a game with our pass heavy scheme. 10 carries a week, with a few catches is reasonable tho. Moss will get 5-10 a game, depending down and distance. Always been a fan of Motor, and think it will be his best year yet. He has great vision and ability to get tough yards after contact

Agree. This guy was benched several times in SF, before just signing a 1-yr deal with Seattle. Very inconsistent player, up to this point. Depth at best for week 1

Was posted on this board earlier this week:

Great post! Definitely a great way to "simulate" pressure, as they say, or bring the heat with man/ more exotic zone schemes behind it. Definitely important to have LBs that can not only blitz but drop into coverage as Milano and Edmunds have proven capable of. Especially going up against a young/new oline of Pitt Week 1 should be a great opportunity to be aggressive with these looks and see how they can adjust.

https://triblive.com/sports/knee-injury-latest-setback-for-steelers-defensive-end-stephon-tuitt/ Confirmed knee injury for Tuitt. Looks like he will be missing week 1 and possibly IR to start season. Big loss for Steelers. They are only carrying 4 corners as of now, would expect they are searching to sign someone before week 1 (hopefully not one of our Ps guys). Also, Watt still waiting for his massive deal, today was Steelers final practice until Monday. There is likely a 99.999% chance his deal is done by the weekend, I think almost everyone in Pitt/nfl fans would be shocked otherwise. He hasn't taken any team reps all camp either, but sure he's an all-pro sure he will be fine.