NFL Week 18 -- Motown Showdown

All that said, why not a sideline pattern in that situation?

 

It was probably taken away. Bangles wanted it in the middle of the field even if it gives up a first down. Clock is your friend there. Meanwhile the Steelers lose if they don’t get a first down so even if it makes it hard, you take the middle of the field and figure it out. Honestly, that miscue with Pickens on third down is the one the Steelers really will lament tomorrow. For all the offensive woes to that point, that one probably wins it.

 

Steelers become only 3rd team in NFL history to make the playoffs after concluding the regular season on a losing streak of ≥ 4 games. They join the 1999 Lions, who lost their playoff opener, and the 1986 Jets, who won their wild-card game but lost to the Browns the following week..
The Bengals, meanwhile, are likely to become only the 3rd team in the 32-team NFL era to miss the playoffs after ending the regular season on a winning streak of ≥ 5 games. They join the 2017 49ers and the 2005 Dolphins, who were coached by Nick Saban.

 

LOL ... I heard him say it as soon as I posted that.

 

Those 5 games earned Jimmy G a crap ton of money

 

ESPN Analytics says the Chiefs have a 48% chance to win at Denver. Do the humans behind the numbers realize that Mahomes et al aren't playing?

 

I understand your physical abilities decline as you age, but Russ made some really bad choices in that 4th quarter. Unforgivable choices.

 

Exactly. They got Pickens open behind the defense. Wilson had time to throw. His strength is accurate, catchable deep balls and he just missed it. If he can’t make that throw, there is no reason for him to be on the team. I can’t believe the Bengals gave them an opportunity like that. As bad as Pickens and Dan Moore were tonight, Wilson blew the game.

 

And it still wouldn’t have mattered if he had made an accurate throw to Pickens on that third down play with 20 seconds left. Even if he didn’t score, it was in field goal range.

 

The Steelers having to go to Baltimore next week feels like a dead man walking game.

 

The Steelers have looked bad for a month, but it's the playoffs. They're 3-1 vs. the Ravens and 5-1 vs. Baltimore teams in the playoffs. I'd rather see the Chargers.