NFL Week 11

Defense has GOT to make some stops.
Some QB pressure would be nice.

Refs have let the WRs and DBs play.

 

It is amazing how much trouble the Steelers have had getting Le'Veon Bell into the end zone. He is back up to second in the league in rushing with the big game tonight, but that was only his second rushing touchdown of the season.

Part of it is using Blount so often in short yardage, but I think they need to keep Bell in there in these situations. I know Blount is a big guy, but Bell is the much better back.

 

Bringing in a "goal-line back" has become de rigueur in the NFL, but I'm surprised it doesn't cause more tension on teams with a guy like Bell. It's got to be frustrating to do so much to help drive the team down the field and then get called to the sideline when the ball gets inside the 5.

And when you consider how much of a running back's salary is tied to yards and TDs, you'd think RBs would be protective of those carries against the coaching staff.

 

How did it take the Steelers this long to start dumping the ball to Bell to beat these blitzes? He is dominating the Titans tonight. He has to keep getting the ball.

 

I'm very surprised there was no personal foul call on that last hit on Roethlisberger. He had released the ball and the defender hit him, then drove him into the turf. Not that it should be a penalty, but it seems to be called that way most of the time.

 

How could this possibly be overturned with the ball going to the Titans? Even if Bell did have the ball and fumble, the whistle blew repeatedly for a second or two before anybody recovered it.

 

Cute. Still completely useless, but at least that one was funny.

 

The Steelers got away with a stinker of a performance through the midway point of the third quarter, but that was a strong finish. Been a long time since I've seen that team run the clock out like that. Bell went over 1,000 points for the season with 202 tonight. Even agaisnt a lousy run defense, that was damn impressive.

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/11/18/Blount-upset-leaves-field-before-game-is-over/stories/201411180148

It may be time for the Steelers to cut LeGarrette Blount. Though this story isn't clear exactly when he did it, Blount left the field before the game was over last night to dress and get on the team bus early. He was upset that he didn't get to carry the ball, never mind that teammate Le'Veon Bell was having a special game and needed to get every touch possible.

Talent wise, losing Blount would hurt. He is a very good player and the Steelers don't have another quality option behind Bell. Dri Archer is next in line and he is awful. But it sounds like Blount quit on his team for selfish reasons. He and Bell are apparently very tight. That is what concerns me and should concern the Steelers. Bell is emerging as a special player and the last thing he needs is an example like Blount's to follow. That they already got in trouble with the law once together makes that clear.

(Edit to clarify. Bell is 100 percent responsible for his DUI. It was stupid at best. Blount simply has a history of a lot more trouble.)

Amazing that two NFL players did this, with Ahmad Brooks of the 49ers also taking himself out of a game early because he wasn't happy about playing time.

 

I don't think the Steelers are making the playoffs and I don't even think they'll be a part of tiebreaker equations. I can't see them doing anything except losing to Kansas City and twice to Cincinnati; Atlanta and New Orleans are winnable games, but I'm thinking a 1-4 finish looms and I won't be shocked if it's 0-5.

 

They'll win their remaining home games, lose their remaining road games and finish 10-6. That may not be good enough to make the playoffs but no way they go 1-4 down the stretch.