playing flat vs. getting beaten

[va_steelman]

A lot of threads have mentioned that the Steelers were flat and uninspired for the most part. If you look at it from the Bungles standpoint as well as some NFL analysts, the consensus was that the Steelers were beaten at their own game. The Bungles defense was more physical in the trenches, pressured Ben all game long, and didn't give up any deep plays. They also shut down the run more or less, although a lot of that was due to Arians abandoning the run for some reason.

To use another game as an example, a co-worker of mine is a ND fan and by brother-in-law is a Navy alum. My co-worker said the Irish were flat and uninspired, while my brother-in-law said that Navy simply out-coached and out-played ND. I can't stand ND and would tend to side with my brother, but I really think it's just a matter of perspective. IMO the Steelers defense wasn't great but played well enough to win by holding the Bungles to 4 FGs. The ST sucked which is nothing new, but IMO it came down to the poor play by the offense. They looked like crap because the Oline coudn't protect Ben, and when they did Ben had noone to throw the ball to because the receivers were well covered (at least when they showed TV replays). Why is that being flat - isn't that simply being beaten?

[FSF]

The Steelers got out played on Sunday. As any game goes on, emotion plays a part....because of expecation, the Bengals would get excited over even gettting their FGs on us.....they had more emotion as part of the game.

As it wears on, and the Bengals are still in it, they are going to look like the more inspired team. The game was far bigger for them than it was for us.

They played better, they got more emotional, they won.

But it was just one game. Acheivement is not in attaining, but maintaining. The Bengals are due for serious let downs as they haven't matured to that level yet.

[Aries1247]

I think a lot of people have trouble admitting that the Bungles are just really improved this year & can't deal wiith the fact that they swept us.

It is what it is.

[Stlrs4Life]

The Steelers got out played on Sunday. As any game goes on, emotion plays a part....because of expecation, the Bengals would get excited over even gettting their FGs on us.....they had more emotion as part of the game.

As it wears on, and the Bengals are still in it, they are going to look like the more inspired team. The game was far bigger for them than it was for us.

They played better, they got more emotional, they won.

But it was just one game. Acheivement is not in attaining, but maintaining. The Bengals are due for serious let downs as they haven't matured to that level yet.


Very good post. After halftime it was definately noticeable.

[FAB802]

The first game the Steelers got off the throttle in the second half and it cost them the game. nevermind the obvious miscues. This last game they just played better than the Steelers did. Sometimes you just have to give the other team credit and move on.

[scrapdog]

I think a lot of people have trouble admitting that the Bungles are just really improved this year & can't deal wiith the fact that they swept us.

It is what it is.

Including a sweep of the Ravens too. That's very, very impressive. They'll certainly be a team to be reckoned with in the playoffs.

[OhioSteel]

Personally, I think they werre overconfident.
Doesn't really matter though, a loss is a loss.

[steelhawk]

Including a sweep of the Ravens too. That's very, very impressive. They'll certainly be a team to be reckoned with in the playoffs.

Do you really think they will make a run in the playoffs? I can't help but think that they will be one and done. The Vikings game will give us a true indication of what the Bungles are really all about.

[WoodyHarrison]

I don't buy the idea of playing flat... to me, that equates to poor coaching. If the opponent is better prepared, they play with more confidence... If you're game plan isn't good, it usually takes away from your aggressiveness which can translate to being FLAT.

[LastRide]

The Steelers D gave up less points than the Bengals D. It was the kick return that did us in. The Bengals had a big part in shutting down our offense same as the Steeler D shutting their offense down. I still say the Steelers offense played flat. The offense has struggled this year at times. We have lots of weapons so I don't know why that is.

[hook]

The offense has struggled this year at times. We have lots of weapons so I don't know why that is.

Two letters: B. A.

[LastRide]

yeah, but there is also some inconsistancy with Ben this year. Also the sacks he's taking is starting to hurt us more because thay are not making up for it. Putting us in 3rd and long and not making the plays.

[blkgld4lifer]

That may be true but the steelers really took themselves out of the game by trying to become Air Coryell in a tight game.
The team only rushed a total of 18 times. Are you serious? Mendenhall was drafted to be our number 1 back and it
look like Arians was on some different ish. Dude only had 13 carries. It doesn't add up. It looks like the Bengals get it.
When the bengals lost Ced Benson in the game, they still committed themselves to running the football with the
rookie B.Scott. He didn't get a lot of yards but it made the steelers d work and the bengals willingness to mix it
up and be physical was a key in their win Sunday too. I've been patient with Arians but we can't have too many
offensive brain farts like the Chicago game and the game this past sunday.

[LastRide]

I agree the Steelers didn't run the ball enough abandoning it totally. Especially with Ben stinking up the joint the way he played. There is no question B.A. has to take some blame for what has been happening.

[ark steel]

The Bengals swept us this year and that is what it is. However, this last game, neither team looked too impressive. Bengals O scored 12 pts, Steelers O scored 12 pts.

Maybe, the Steelers O looked flat because the Bengals D were playing inspired, emotional or what have you. The D's play didn't make our WR's miss catches or our ST fuck up yet another return, the 7th for the year.

To me it looked like the Bengals were just less flat. They played better than the Steelers twice this year. For this last game, at least, that wasn't a high bar to get over.

[SteelPhantom]

Yep. I dont know if you gus have listened to the latest edition of Steel Curtain Radio, but Lance Williams makes a lot of really good points in his podcast concerning the performance of the offense and BA's contribution to the overall lack of production last Sunday...specifically the run/pass ratio and how and that alters the defensive looks you get. As he says, the game was tight until the closing minutes but BA called it like they were trailing by 20 the whole time.

http://cdn4.libsyn.com/wtcb/SCR_47.mp3?nvb=20091120203816&nva=20091121204816&t=006f49d57866ee9fc6975

[markymarc]

The Bungles deserve respect for what they have done so far this season. Come playoff time though let's see how improved they are.

[Beaker]

Thats why Ive always respected Aries....his no BS, tell it like it is style. If you look at the game objectively, the bengals stopped the steelers 4 times inside the 10 yd line. And they also forced ten straight third down conversion failures by the steelers to end the game. But as much as you guys are ripping Ariens, the Bengals play calling got way conservative in that game too. Do you remember a single throw by Palmer into the endzone? Neither do I. It was just an old fashioned slug it out game. In a backhanded compliment kinda way...the Bengals won playing steeler footbal.

[Faux]

I think a lot of people have trouble admitting that the Bungles are just really improved this year & can't deal wiith the fact that they swept us.

It is what it is.
This. We lost, period. I still think we're the better team, but we sure as Hell need to prove that first -- which we've not.