NFL Week 10 Thread: The OG, OC Joe Walton edition

I’ll wait for the movie.

 

The Steelers had no running game and the receivers dropped at least four passes. They also fumbled away a big play late in the first half. Unlike last week, the safety wasn't his fault. He had absolutely no chance on that play. It would have taken an amazing play to save the bad snap that turned into a touchdown for the Rams, too. Rudolph also played his best the field goal drive that ate up a huge chunk of the fourth quarter and pushed the lead to 17-12.

I'm not saying Rudolph is good, but the skill position players around him are the weakest group the Steelers have had in a long time. They desperately need Conner back. I know Samuels had a couple of big games last season, but he is clearly incapable of being a No. 1 back. There were openings to run today. The Steelers just didn't have a running back who could take advantage. The receiving corps is weak. I still think they blew it by not picking up Gordon. I know his play has declined and he's a big risk off the field, but that group is a mess.

The entire defense was fantastic today. Fitzpatrick is great and he has made a tremendous impact, but they also got monster performances from Heyward, Hargrave, Watt and Haden. What we saw the last two weeks is the best of what we will see from the Steelers the rest of the way. The offense will be erratic at best, but the defense will give them a chance in most games and Boswell is back after a horrendous 2018.

 

I think the absolute lack of timing, accuracy and rhythm in Rudolph’s throws has a lot to do with the drops.

I have no idea what the answer is, but how many of Duck’s throws were dropped?

 

I’m with OOP, can’t blame Rudolph.
He’s solid. And getting better, more comfortable. He does not have a lot of talent around him at the skill positions. I think Washington is as good as he’s going to get.
No real running game and no solid go-to receivers. Not sure if Connor’s return will make a big difference.
They dropped passes and fumbles are killers.
Remember , if Schuster doesn’t fumble the Steelers beat the Ravens.
The Johnson fumble before the half last night was huge.
Points are premium for this team and dropped balls, penalties and turnovers are nearly insurmountable .
This defense is top notch.
Pretty easy schedule the rest of the way.

 

When did Steelers fans morph into fucking Werner Herzog?

 

And it's a movie we've kind of seen before. Kyle Long noted that Cousins was like, either 0-13 outdoors as Vikings QB or against winning teams. (I can't remember which, and Google was inconclusive.) Coming into this year, a Reddit thread had him at 4-25 vs. teams with a winning record.

 

Cousins reminds me of Bill Walsh's old line about Steve DeBerg: "he's just good enough to get you beat." If everything is fine and he has a pocket to throw from, Cousins can be very effective. But once a play starts breaking down, you can see the panic set in immediately.

 

I may have to watch that part again, but I thought it was Washington who lost a fumble. Johnson also fumbled, but the Steelers recovered. McDonald also had a fumble, but Smith-Schuster fell on that one.

Rudolph definitely throws some inaccurate balls and his timing is off on some others, but blaming him for the drops is a little ridiculous. Most of them were good throws, though the one off Johnson's hands was a tough catch.

I think getting Conner back would be a big deal. There were plays that other backs got very little that I think he would have made something happen yesterday. I'm just not optimistic about him making it back on the short week. I already see Steelers fans talking about the Browns as a trap game. A trap game suggests it is an opponent the Steelers might overlook. They can't do that with anybody right now.

 

This Steelers team is reminiscent of the O’Donnell era teams, when the defense wrecked havoc and created turnovers and the offense hinged on Barry Foster because O’Donnell couldn’t throw the team back into games. Rudolph is too often indecisive, and while the receivers didn’t help him with the drops, he doesn’t throw the ball well in rhythm. Where are the freaking tight ends? McDonald and Vanett have been all but invisible. A guy like Rudolph needs those safety valves down the seam, and the plays add not being drawn up for them.

 

“Bungle for Burrow”
Say Cincy fans.


Yeah, there were reports yesterday Connor won’t be ready for Thursday.
Maybe Snell is ready?

I am a Rudolph fan. i love this kid.

 

Burrow, Tua and Herbert should all be decent pros if they play in systems that suit their skill set.