Time for the Second Act

If you would have told me before the season started that the Steelers would be 4-3 when they hit the bye week, I would have told you that you were crazy.

If you would have told me before the season started that the Steelers would have given up well over 300 yards rushing in back-to-back weeks, I would have told you that you need medical attention. 

The Steelers had their question marks coming into the season, but this team was poised to be something special. Now, they are looking poised for disappointment.

Injuries have plagued the first half of the season, but if any team knows what how keep the tires moving through adversity it had been these Steelers.

There are legitimate concerns about the offense – perhaps even more so than the defense – especially if Ben Roethlisberger misses any more time.

While Landry Jones has proven he is capable in a backup role, his negative attributes outweigh his positives. He did a fine job in leading the Steelers down the field against the Patriots, but as soon as they got inside the 30-yard line, Jones and the offense crumbled. His management skills took a significant hit, as did his decision making. Jones just isn’t a short-field guy, an area where having Roethlisberger would have made a world of difference, and potentially altered the outcome of the game.

It’s evident the offense isn’t anywhere near where it needs to be without Roethlisberger.

Now let’s address the defense.

I don’t know if it’s coaching or flat out poor execution, but the defense has had its share of blunders this season.

Missed tackles, missed assignments and untimely penalties—namely defensive holding or pass interference—have been at what seems like an all-time high this season.

Yes, injuries have plagued the Steelers’ defense, but that excuse is tired. The aforementioned issues all speak to a lack of discipline.

As the Steelers enter the second half of their season, the team is healthy and getting healthier. The time for excuses is over. The time for results is now.

There was a lot of Super Bowl talk about this team in the preseason and early in the regular season. It’s time to see some proof.

Act 2 is about to begin.

Will it be better than the first?