Too many mistakes for a Steelers victory
If the Steelers hoped to hold steady without injured quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, their loss Thursday night to the Baltimore Ravens was a tough pill to swallow.
The Steelers let one slip away they probably should have won.
And they had several chances to win it in all three phases of the game.
The offense failed to convert several short-yardage situations late in regulation and in overtime, any one of which could have won the game.
The defense, which was good against the run in its first three games, was horrible against Baltimore. Justin Forsett entered with 124 rushing yards on 39 carries. He had 150 on 27 attempts against the Steelers.
And special teams also was not a winning factor, with placekicker Josh Scobee missing field goals of 49 and 41 yards in the final three minutes of regulation, and Jordan Berry hitting some less-than-ideal punts.
Despite all of that, this was a game the Steelers should have won.
Mike Vick, in his first game subbing for Roethlisberger, took care of the football but was less than dynamic, throwing for just 124 yards. He and star wide receiver Antonio Brown just couldn’t get on the same page. The one that stands out is the fourth-and-1 throw Vick sailed to an open Brown in overtime.
Brown also failed to come down with a pass in the end zone following a Ross Cockrell interception in the second quarter. It was a pass that forced Brown to go to the ground to catch, but it’s one we’ve become accustomed to him making.
For the Steelers to win without Roethlisberger, they can’t afford to fail in those situations. They don’t have to play perfect in all phases, but they do have to be better.
That should happen, especially for the offense.
Vick had one day of practice to prepare for the Ravens. Two weeks earlier, he was running the scout team to simulate San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
The Steelers have more than a regular week of practice before they play Oct. 12 in a Monday night game at San Diego. Vick will get plenty of time to prepare.
He should be better, but the Steelers have to better around him as well.
Now, on to this week’s games:
The 49ers have been outscored 90-25 in the past two games.
Take Green Bay, 45-13
Are the Falcons good enough to be 4-0? Yes. But it will be close.
Take Houston to cover in a 24-21 loss
Are the Panthers good enough to be 4-0? Actually, this one is more about Tampa Bay’s poor play.
Take Carolina, 23-17
A running dog on the road. Minnesota’s defense will keep this close.
Take Minnesota to cover in a 26-24 loss
The Cardinals will keep rolling as long as they keep Carson Palmer upright.
Take Arizona, 28-17
The Lions have the weapons to challenge the Seahawks, but I’ll take Seattle at home.
Take Seattle, 31-20
This is a home game in London for the Dolphins, which means they had to be there early. Jets will lag after flying across the pond later in the week.
Take Miami, 24-17
Colts fatten up on the putrid AFC South schedule.
Take Indianapolis, 30-17
Something tells me the Giants will keep this close and pull out a win.
Take the Giants, 20-17
Jay Cutler and Alshon Jeffery are both questionable for the Bears, who traded a couple of defensive starters this week.
Take Oakland, 23-16
Fly Eagles fly, all the way past D.C.
Take Philadelphia, 27-17
Cincinnati has a chance to put some distance between itself and the rest of the AFC North.
Take Cincinnati, 26-20
The Browns did to me last week what they have been doing to Cleveland for years. They were the only game I missed straight up because they couldn’t beat the Raiders at home.
Take San Diego, 34-13
Winless Saints get Drew Brees back.
Take New Orleans, 24-20
Last week (counting Thursday): 12-3-1 ATS; 15-1 straight up
Overall: 27-18-2 ATS; 33-14 Straight up
F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.