Grades and thoughts on Steelers loss Vs. the Patriots

Offense... D-

The Steelers offense came into this game very flat. They seemed as though they could not get anything going until it was just too late. Ben Roethlisberger started off the game slow and his early passes seemed high and off the mark.
The loss of WR Hines Ward did not help . He left the game with a concussion in the 1^st quarter and never was able to return. Roethlisberger final stats would be 30 of 49 passing for 387yds and 3 touchdowns and an interception that was returned for a TD.

He had a QB rating of 97.9 but much of the good came after the Steelers were down by 3 scores and in the 4^th quarter .

The offensive line did not seem to be winning the battle in the trenches when it counted and it seems the many injuries are starting to take their toll .They allowed Roethlisberger to be sacked 5 times and rarely opened up many holes for the running game . Rashard Mendenhall ran 11 for 50 yds but got 34 of those yards in one run. WR Mike Wallace continued to show he is becoming a good wide-out finishing the game with 8 catches and 136 yards and two Tds. He may have been the only bright spot of the night.

Defense... D-

The Steelers defense played its worst game of the season in what may have been the biggest game to date. Tom Brady made it look easy and that's an understatement . He was rarely rushed let alone touched and seemed to have plenty of time to get his passes off and completed . The Steelers failed to get a sack for the first time this season .The Steelers defense was just not very good in every phase of the game. Tom Brady completed 30 of 43 for 350 and 3 TD. The Patriots even ran for 103 yards . The Steelers defense had no big plays...no real big hits, missed tackles and played uninspired defense much of the night.

This was definitely the Steelers least physical showing of the season.

Special Teams ...C-

The coverage teams played OK not allowing any big returns against a good returner. Punter Dan Sepulveda averaged 45.2 but only had a net average of 38.8. Jeff Reed missed another easy field goal of 26 yards . You just cant miss those under any circumstance .

The bottom line is the Steelers did not come to play with the intensity that was required . They lost another big game and played uninspired football at home. They were beat in every phase of the game. There is no excuse for a performance like this . This has to be the most disappointing performance of the season . Its time to wake up before its to late . Lets hope this was awake up call .

The Good... Mike Wallace 8 catches 136 yards and 2 Tds.

The Bad... Jeff Reed missing a 26 yard field goal.

The Ugly... The Steelers performance from the offense ,defense, special teams , and the coaches this was the most disappointing game of the season by far.

Well there you have it and don't forget where you got it . Spread the word about the blog  ... later Steeler Nation.