Airing of Grievances: Another awful start, rotten possession-down play-calling among usual complaints as Chiefs hammer Steelers

Because we are coming up on New Year’s resolution season, I’d like to make one about my own coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

I want to write an “Airing of Grievances” post that doesn’t include complaints about poor play-calling, awful first-half starts, a constant reliance on throwing short of the first down marker on third downs and on-field moments of immaturity that illustrate a lack of discipline.

I’d like to do that.

I’d, um, “like” to do that.

But how is that going to be possible writing about this 2021 Steelers team? Those things happen every … single … week. That includes Sunday’s 36-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sounding like a broken record: You kids these days, do you even know what “sounding like a broken record” means? Do you even know what records are?

Well, for those of you who get the analogy, here is yet another “Airing of Grievances” about terrible starts. ESPN.com found an ELIAS Sports Bureau note that the Steelers were held without a first-half TD for a fifth consecutive game. That hasn’t happened since 1940.

Coach Mike Tomlin’s team went into halftime in 23-0 hole.

On the first possession of the game, Diontae Johnson made a great catch to register a first down. But, from there, it was a three-and-out that featured a busted run by Najee Harris and a sack of Ben Roethlisberger.

Following the punt, the Chiefs plowed 73 yards on 14 plays for a touchdown drive that lasted eight minutes, 10 seconds. It culminated with a scoring run from Clyde Edwards-Helaire which was the result of Alex Highsmith and Robert Spillane wiping each other out when they appeared to have the play blown up in the backfield.

CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP @Clydro_22

: #PITvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/FfuweVxoP6

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 26, 2021

Clyde Edwards-Helaire had just a 17% chance to score at the time of handoff, per @NextGenStats. But he did.

Third-least likely one-yard touchdown run this season, based on NGS model. pic.twitter.com/p44GeGkJGq

— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) December 26, 2021

On the next possession, Roethlisberger threw an interception to Charvarius Ward on the weakest flea-flicker attempt I’ve ever seen.

.@itslilmooney with the PICK 🎯

📺: #PITvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/WdbhpjjUH7

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 26, 2021

The Chiefs cashed in that turnover six plays later on a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Byron Pringle.

That was basically the first quarter. And, essentially, the game.

Tomlin was asked if the bad starts were an example of poor preparation, play-calling, or coaching.

“I’m sure it is all of the above,” Tomlin replied. “When it is as consistent as it has been, it’s not one issue. It’s multiple issues. And it is probably all of the things that you have suggested.”

——

Watt’s next?: T.J. Watt has been dogged by hip, knee and groin injuries all year.

Now he’s dealing with what the network broadcast referred to as “cracked ribs.” The injury impacted his availability.

The All-Pro linebacker was on and off the field for much of the day. Watt ended up with just one tackle.

The second drive of the second quarter: During their second drive in the second quarter, the Steelers finally got some positive momentum going with a pair of nice catches by Chase Claypool.

But it ended in typical Steelers fashion.

On third-and-10 from the Kansas City 18-yard line, the Steelers thought it would be wise to throw the ball laterally along the line of scrimmage to Harris and hope he could run 10 yards on his own after the reception.

I’m sure you’ll be shocked to learn he didn’t gain any.

That failure was then followed up by a missed 36-yard field goal by Chris Boswell. He had made his previous 43 consecutive attempts inside the 40. Boswell has now missed a place kick in four straight games.

The third drive of the second quarter: With 1:34 remaining in the second quarter, facing a third-and-4, the Steelers threw a pass to Ray-Ray McCloud (wait for it) short of the first down marker.

On the ensuing fourth down and inches, trailing 23-0, the Steelers decided to go for it. Behind their lousy offensive line, the Steelers called for a pitch play. So the ball traveled backward a few yards, in an effort to gain a few feet.

As you could probably guess, that didn’t work. Harris was stuffed for a 3-yard loss.

In what universe did that play design make any sense in that situation?

Give it a rest: Down 23-0 shortly before halftime, Ahkello Witherspoon was in coverage on an incompletion into the end zone on a third down throw.

So he flexed at the crowd. I assume many Chiefs fans responded by pointing at the scoreboard.

In the second half, trailing 30-0, McCloud caught an 8-yard pass for a first down. He got in the face of Chiefs defender L’Jarius Sneed immediately after the reception and got a taunting flag.

Save it for a game when you are remotely competitive, fellas. Actually, come to think of it, just save it.

It could’ve been worse: Despite the Steelers losing by 26 points, being outgained 381-303 and losing the time of possession battle 34:42-25:18, I can’t help but wonder how much worse it could’ve been if Travis Kelce had played.

Or, for that matter, if Tyreek Hill was close to as good as he normally is. He only had two catches for 19 yards.

As CBS play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz said after Pringle’s touchdown to make the score 30-0, “The Steelers are just sleepwalking through this one. They are getting beat on every single play. Physically, emotionally, it’s just not there.”

With that, a Merry Christmas to all! And to all, a good night!