Oct 18, 2014 4 min read

During his weekly meeting with media Thursday, beleagued Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley pointed out he conducted a study on every play the team ran this season, not only in the red zone, but once the team reached field goal range.

His assessment?

The Steelers squandered 37 points in those situations via 11 plays that included missed or botched field goals, dropped passes, sacks and penalties. Because of those issues, they had to settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown, or, as was the case in last week’s 31-10 loss at Cleveland, they didn’t get any points when they couldn’t get a field goal attempt off.

According to Haley, if the Steelers don’t make those miscues, they could be 4-2 or 5-1 at this point instead of 3-3.

But, that is part of the problem. The Steelers are making those kind of mistakes.

They draw penalties or take sacks that push them out of field goal range. They drop passes to keep drives alive. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger overthrows open receivers in the end zone.

It’s a comedy of errors.

Is that the fault of the coaches? Some believe so.

But that’s not entirely the case. The statistics say the Steelers are moving the ball well. They’re currently sixth in the NFL in total yards. Those yards, however, are not leading to points. And points, after all, are what matter the most.

But if the players are capable of putting up big yardage totals running plays the coaching staff calls, who is to blame when things go wrong?

Both players and coaches, in this case, share blame equally. The players aren’t executing at a high level. At the same time, the coaching staff should make changes or find plays the team best executes and stick with those.

Since, it’s difficult to fire all of the players, Haley will stay on the hot seat.

Perhaps the Steelers will break out of their scoring funk Monday night when they host Houston.

Houston, after all, despite the presence of defensive lineman J.J. Watt, is ranked 29th in the NFL in total defense. Then again, Jacksonville and Cleveland, the Steelers’ past two opponents, were ranked lower than that. And Pittsburgh’s offense scored a total of 20 points in those games.

Both of those games, however, were on the road, where the Steelers played four of their previous five games before returning to Heinz Field this week for a rare three-game homestand.

The Steelers’ offense should get something going this week at home.

But can the defense stop Houston’s outside zone running scheme led by Arian Foster.

The guess here is no. While the Steelers should respond after being embarrassed last week at Cleveland, it’s a bad matchup this week against the Texans, who do well what Pittsburgh defends the worst.

The Steelers are 3-point favorites and have won 15 consecutive Monday night home games, but that streak will come to an end in this game.

Take Houston, 27-24

Atlanta is not a good road team.

Take Baltimore, 34-20

The 49ers travel after playing on the road Monday night. Tired legs.

Take Denver, 31-23

The Seahawks were so mad about losing to Dallas at home, they traded receiver Percy Harvin to the Jets.

Take Seattle, 24-10

The Chargers get a tuneup before playing Denver next week.

Take San Diego, 27-17

The Giants were routed in Philadelphia last week. Now, they get to be run over by the Cowboys.

Take the Giants to cover in a 27-23 loss

My head tells me the Browns are due for a letdown after beating the Steelers. It also says I can’t pick Jacksonville two weeks in a row.

Take Cleveland, 27-20

The Cardinals are banged up, but the Raiders stink.

Take Arizona, 23-17

The Saints are 3-8 in their last 11 regular season road games.

Take Detroit, 24-20

Take the home team in a meeting of struggling clubs.

Take Chicago, 27-20

Remember when the Bengals were 3-0 and the talk of the AFC? They fall to 3-2-1 with a loss here.

Take Indianapolis, 30-24

Aaron Rodgers is rolling. The Panthers are banged up.

Take Green Bay, 34-24

Washington should have enough to beat the talent-devoid Titans. But it will be close.

Take Tennessee to cover in a 20-17 loss

New owners for the Bills get their first victory.

Take Buffalo, 20-10

Last week: 9-5 ATS, 8-6 Straight up

Overall: 42-42-1 ATS, 52-33 Straight up

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.