Mark Madden: Steelers' loss to Colts another embarrassment for Mike Tomlin

The Pittsburgh Steelers are so disheveled, it’s difficult to know where to start. Refreshing Steelers notes seems the correct path. But they’re not so refreshing. More like a kick to the groin.

• It’s time to stop making excuses on this sorry team’s behalf. The Steelers stink. Say so.

• Punting instead of trying a 57-yard field goal that would have brought the Steelers within one score in the third quarter of Saturday’s loss at Indianapolis was a bad, cowardly decision, not least because the game was played indoors and kicker Chris Boswell has the leg. But it didn’t lose the game. The Steelers were never in danger of winning.

• The Steelers defense is riddled by injury. But Indianapolis was missing their starting quarterback, running back and right tackle. The Colts lost their top receiver and No. 2 running back mid-game. Every team has injuries by Week 15.

• The Steelers defense was incredibly bad. Indianapolis bulldozed the Steelers with 13 straight running plays utilizing practice-squad backs en route to a fourth-quarter field goal. The Colts had three consecutive drives of 70 or more yards in the second quarter. The defense got no takeaways. It posted three sacks for a measly 13 yards worth of losses. It’s the highest-paid defense in the league but is a liability.

• T.J. Watt rushed the passer on almost every play Saturday. The Colts often ran the ball where he vacated.

• This offseason, the Steelers should trade Watt for a big package that would probably include two first-round draft picks. Watt is 29, has played great this year and avoided injury. But by the time the Steelers get fixed, Watt will be past his prime or retired. Trading him to a better team would help the Steelers rebuild and do Watt a favor.

• Damontae Kazee’s hit on the Colts’ Michael Pittman was clearly targeting the head and merited ejection. But let’s be honest: Kazee got tossed, and Indianapolis’ top receiver got knocked out of the game. Good trade for the Steelers, albeit regrettably achieved.

• The Steelers have now had a losing streak of three games or more in each of the last six seasons. But the players love Coach T.

• The Steelers took eight penalties for 101 yards. But the players love Coach T.

• George Pickens obviously quits on plays, most notably Saturday on a Jaylen Warren run near the goal line where Pickens chose to not block, totally shutting down. But the players love Coach T.

Related:

• 5 things we learned: Message not getting through to Steelers WR George Pickens
• Airing of Grievances: Turnovers, flags, bad defense, worse offense ... Aside from that, Steelers were great in Indy
• Mason Rudolph finishes Steelers’ loss – will he start their next game?

• Pickens, Diontae Johnson and probably Najee Harris don’t want to be Steelers. Get rid of them. They have talent but hurt more than help. Pickens and Johnson should be used better, but that’s no excuse for pulling the chute. A team that bleats endlessly about culture shouldn’t tolerate that nonsense. But the players love Coach T.

• The Steelers are so bad that Devin Bush, their first-round bust from the 2019 draft, made fun of them on Twitter. Bush is now a backup linebacker with Seattle.

• Here’s a scenario where Tomlin leaves the Steelers: Owner Art Rooney II strips him of having final say over coaching hires and personnel. (That would be the right move if Tomlin is to be retained, especially regarding the former. The Steelers need a much better coaching staff.) Tomlin feels insulted and quits.

• Bruce Arians is 71. Is he too old to be the Steelers head coach or offensive coordinator? The Steelers badly need an offensive-minded head coach.

• Wasn’t firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada supposed to solve the offensive problems? The offense is averaging fewer points since Canada got sacked.

• The Steelers will never get a legit big-time offensive coordinator unless Tomlin’s coaching future is clear. Tomlin has one year remaining on his contract. If he’s not extended or fired, nobody with options will take that job amid uncertainty. The most likely scenario: Tomlin is extended and either Byron Leftwich or Eddie Faulkner is the offensive coordinator next year. #BuddySystem

• Kenny Pickett is rotten. But Mitch Trubisky is worse. Starting Mason Rudolph on Saturday at home against Cincinnati is a desperate but bona fide option. (Unless Pickett returns.)

• It’s hard to say if the Steelers’ backs, receivers and tight ends are bad or victimized by subpar quarterbacking and a crap offensive game plan. But, within the given context, they absolutely reek. To think that the Steelers could have Creed Humphrey anchoring the line at center instead of Pat Freiermuth being invisible at tight end.

• Ex-Steeler Kevin Dotson is playing much better with the Los Angeles Rams, likely because he got switched back to right guard, the position where he has experience. The Steelers used him at left guard, but one size doesn’t fit all. So the Steelers need to move Broderick Jones from right tackle to left tackle next season. Left tackle is Jones’ better position and a more impactful spot. The Steelers have let Dan Moore Jr.’s oft-praised hard work point Jones’ superior talent in a less helpful direction.

• The Steelers are a terrible organization. In disarray from top to bottom. They must start looking at the big picture instead of just being worried about winning the next game. They must stop emphasizing defense and eking out close wins in the fourth quarter. They must understand what the NFL has become and adapt: Score more and faster. None of that will happen if Tomlin remains the coach. The Steelers will remain forever embedded in the mushy middle. Or worse.

• There’s no way Tomlin should be back next year. How much evidence do you need? But he will be.

• The Steelers have a quarterback problem. How much evidence do you need? But Pickett will remain the starter next season. (You’ll be amazed by how little changes with the Steelers this coming offseason.)