Steelers' Mike Tomlin Was Absolutely Living In His Fears By Not Adjusting In Week 7 Loss: "Did Nothing To Combat It"

The Pittsburgh Steelers just had their typical poor performance in a game that they had no business losing. This time, they allowed the Cincinnati Bengals to move the ball at will in a 33-31 loss. They gave up 470 total yards, with over 400 coming after the first quarter ended. It's the kind of game that makes everyone question the coaching staff, which includes the team's biggest supporters as well. It also tells the rest of the NFL that they are still not ready for January football.

Even Mark Kaboly could not defend Head Coach Mike Tomlin afterwards. In an article he wrote on X, he blasted the 19-year head coach for his refusal to make any adjustments in the game. 

"Slant to Chase, slant to Chase, slant to Chase, and the Steelers never adjusted to it," Kaboly said. "You would have to believe that the defensive staff saw what everybody else saw, yet did nothing to combat it. Either they were afraid that Chase or Higgins would beat them over the top if they sat on the slant or …, well, I have no idea."

Ja'Marr Chase had a game for the ages, as he racked up 16 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown. Even if he's arguably the best receiver in the NFL currently, that is inexcusable. It's especially inexcusable when he was left wide open on numerous occasions, including on the final drive as he ran yet another crossing route to get into field goal range without a defensive back even close to him.

Tee Higgins didn't have that kind of game, but six receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown is still nothing to scoff at. He could have had a second score if he didn't make a smart play at the end of the game and slide down short of the end zone to run lots of time off the clock. In the end, the Steelers' soft coverages were exposed time and time again. 

Chase previously said that the Steelers' defense was predictable. The fans in the stands were literally predicting what plays Cincinnati would run, yet Pittsburgh refused to do anything about it. Both sides were playing checkers, yet Tomlin and his staff refused to do anything about it. The Bengals were only predictable because Pittsburgh would not adjust at all. 

Lack of adjustments has been one of Tomlin's biggest criticisms for years, and it showed there. There was a very obvious problem with the defensive scheme that the Bengals found. The correct way to defend it may not be obvious, but spamming the same questionable plays was obviously not the right answer. Instead, he sat back and allowed Cincinnati to do what they wanted to all night long. 

If Tomlin was so afraid of the Bengals beating the Steelers over the top, why would he not do double coverage? Have press man on both Chase and Higgins with safeties over the top to help them out? Maybe it would have worked, and maybe it would not have. Either way, trying that and seeing if it does or not is better than allowing free catches and free yards to the best receiver core in the NFL.

The Steelers Are Still The Steelers

Yet again, a pivotal loss exposes the same flaws that Tomlin has had that has been talked about for years. What's the point of trading for Jalen Ramsey if you're not going to cater to his strengths? What's the point of loading up on press man corners if you're going to keep going back to your comfort zone of soft zone? This is the definition of insanity right here: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

What do you think about Tomlin refusing to adjust in this game? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

#SteelerNation