The View From 522: No need to assign blame, it is all bad

Well so much for that potential second half turnaround

My new work schedule has kept me from going to any Pittsburgh Steelers games this season outside of a couple preseason games. But the universe aligned itself on Sunday to give me a chance to go see them play the Cincinnati Bengals with a renewed sense of optimism that maybe, just maybe, with the return of a healthy T.J. Watt, and a soft second half schedule, and a watered down league that the Steelers might be able to turn this season around.

But it had to start with a win on Sunday.

They did not get a win on Sunday.

There is plenty of blame to go around for the Steelers’ 37-30 loss, and depending on what your preferred narrative is for this team (the offense stinks, the defense is overpaid and overrated, Matt Canada stinks) you probably have one side or the other facing your wrath.

But let’s make it simple.

It was everything.

The defense, even with a healthy Watt and the return of Minkah Fitzpatrick, got absolutely cooked by Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins. Even without Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Mixon (after he left the game with a concussion) the Bengals offense had no issue moving the ball down the field. They had two 90-plus yard touchdown drives, accounted for over 400 yards of offense, and even though the Steelers forced two turnovers and had a couple of sacks, it was still ugly. Tee Higgins is still running wide open somewhere throughout the Steelers secondary today.

The offense, despite scoring a season high 30 points, missed way too many opportunities and experienced the same issues it has all year with pass protecting, play calling, and everything involving the passing game.

Let’s get into all of it a little deeper.