The Steelers steered away from their strengths in their 24-21 loss to the Raiders on Sunday.
Let's dig deep ...
TWO-MINUTE DRILL
• Where scheme beat team: Normally, this section is about a key strategy that one team used to attack the opponent. But this week is about a scheme the Steelers used to beat themselves.
They knew coming into this game that the Raiders were a bad team. The way you beat bad teams is to use your strengths to overwhelm their weaknesses. The Raiders rank 17th in the 32-team NFL against the pass with a 247.7 yards per game average, while ranking 31st against the run, allowing 144.5 yards per game. And don't let the Raiders' pass defense ranking fool you. They only rank that high because opponents are protecting leads and running the ball. A more accurate depiction is their opponents' combined 107.5 quarterback rating, which ranks 31st.
So when Mike Tomlin sat down with Randy Fichtner and Ben Roethlisberger, there should have been a plan to use their two best weapons — Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster — exclusively, with targets all over the field. They should have come early and often, and challenged the Raiders' defense to cover deep passes and the superior routes that Brown and Smith-Schuster use to exploited defenses.
But how many times did they have Roethlisberger throw deep passes?
Three.
Each time resulted in a first down: Smith-Schuster caught 19-yard and 20-yard passes, and a third target that fell incomplete drew a defensive holding penalty on the last touchdown drive.
But that was it. A deep target is when a quarterback throws the ball at least 15 yards downfield. It makes sense for the Steelers to take advantage of two elite receivers with deep shots that result in splash plays and quicker scores. The Raiders didn't double team Smith-Schuster and Brown all game, either, and when Roethlisberger targeted Brown outside the numbers it worked.
Watch this 12-yard reception by Brown against Gareon Conley, where it's single coverage with no help against the NFL's best receiver. He stands no chance against Brown's out route and has to give up the first down, barely holding on to tackle Brown and save the score:
But the Steelers failed to exploit this advantage. While Roethlisberger did miss all but one drive in the second half, the Steelers had plenty of chances in the first half. They only had four first-half possessions and scored touchdowns on two.
The low number of possessions resulted from the Steelers sticking with their horizontal air attack that relies on spreading the ball around with shorter passes. While that's ideal against strong defenses, as it leads to long drives, it works against you because you have fewer drives to score while the offense eats more clock.
That needed to change this week. Fichtner needed to have this passing attack geared to its strengths. Had the plan worked, the Steelers would've proved me wrong, but it didn't and their explosive offense never built a huge lead against a bad team. That's on both Fichtner and Tomlin.
Compounding that issue was how the Steelers chose to run the ball. The Raiders came into the game ranked tied for last in run defense, allowing 153.5 yards per game. The Steelers' running backs totaled 32 yards on 16 carries. That's not all on the running backs because the Raiders were winning at the point of attack against an offensive line that had played like the NFL's best for most of the season.
But it would be lazy to simply blame the offensive line without looking at how these plays were run. The Steelers' best running plays usually come behind their best blockers, and those are David DeCastro, Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster and fullback Roosevelt Nix.
But how many times did they bring in Nix?
Four plays. They only used Nix four times to be a lead blocker. He certainly made his presence felt on the 1-yard Stevan Ridley touchdown run in the second quarter, so it doesn't make sense why Fichtner didn't dial up more runs that included one of his best lead blockers.
Maybe part of that was because Jaylen Samuels was the starting running back and he isn't as effective when running between the tackles. If that was the thought process, then it would make sense to have some tosses where DeCastro, Pouncey, Foster and Nix were leading at the point of attack. But in key situations, the Steelers ran behind other blockers, and it backfired.
Watch this first down toss to Samuels and look who the lead blockers are: Matt Feiler, Xavier Grimble and James Washington. None are the team's better blockers, and each fail to dominate their spots, allowing the Raiders to swarm to the ball:
Pouncey did pull, and you can see him take down No. 90, Jonathan Hankins, but he was the only person that won their blocking assignment.
A similar situation led to a third-and-3 failure on another toss to Samuels. Take a look at who the lead blockers on the edge are: Feiler, Vance McDonald, Smith-Schuster and DeCastro.
Smith-Schuster is a very good blocking receiver, but having him block a linebacker at the point of attack isn't ideal. DeCastro does a good job on his assignment and Feiler takes out safety Marcus Gilchrist, but Smith-Schuster doesn't stop Arden Key and McDonald doesn't finish safety Erik Harris, who both end up tackling Samuels:
While these players would need to block regardless of the play call, it's obvious that the Steelers didn't use their better personnel and play to the strengths of where their run game could succeed. Much like they did in the passing game, it prevented the Steelers' offense from dominating a horrible defense.
• All about the tackling: Missed tackles were a main problem of the Steelers in 2017. Because of that, our commitment this season is to keep a close eye on this facet.
Mike Tomlin made a big deal about improving tackling this year and it certainly has. Only three missed tackles helped limit the Raiders' ground game and yards after the catch.
The problem was the Raiders were able to attack the Steelers' defense through the air because of its inability to make plays on the ball or close passing windows. While tackling isn't the issue, coverage still is for this team.
• Top matchups: Each week we break down the most important matchups between the Steelers and their opponents:
• Derek Carr vs. Steelers' pass rush: The Steelers needed to set the tone by getting to Derek Carr early and often. They did, with four sacks and five quarterback hits, but none came in the fourth quarter when the defense absolutely needed a stop. While the Raiders were limited early, their execution late put them in position to win. Advantage: Raiders.
• Jared Cook vs. Morgan Burnett: The Raiders had one major threat to worry about and it was Jared Cook. Morgan Burnett followed him around the field most of the game and Cook finished with seven catches on ten targets for 116 yards. Burnett had a solid pass breakup on a late-game third down in the end zone, but Cook won the day by far. Advantage Raiders.
• Steelers' receivers vs. Raiders' secondary: JuJu Smith-Schuster's super day kept the Steelers in the game, but there wasn't much help behind him. The Steelers' receivers totaled 16 catches on 24 targets for 177 yards. While Smith-Schuster had a spectacular game, the team's reluctance to utilize their best weapons kept the Raiders in the game. Advantage Raiders.
Had a big play or a decent game 
Very impressive, multiple big plays
Elite performance
Gave up a big play without redemption 
Total performance was a disappointment
Horrible, inexcusable
QUARTERBACKS: B+
Not often I get to grade two quarterbacks, but clearly there was one that made the difference.
Ben Roethlisberger:
Roethlisberger's numbers were terrific, going 25 of 29 for 282 yards and two touchdowns. He didn't make the crucial turnover and the Steelers converted 5 of 7 third downs with him at quarterback. His two touchdowns required spectacular plays from Smith-Schuster: A high pass that required a deft toe-tap and one where he had to drag a linebacker into the end zone. After missing all but two drives in the second half, he came in and carved the Raiders up to give the Steelers a late lead.
Josh Dobbs:
Completed four of nine passes for only 24 yards and an interception. The interception wasn't a bad decision, but you have to look at his inability to move the ball in the second half and grade his mistakes. He's still a backup and learning the offense, though he did extend drives with his feet when he wasn't seeing open receivers downfield.
RUNNING BACKS: C
The Steelers were short-handed at running back and didn't change the ground game, but Jaylen Samuels did help in the passing game.
Jaylen Samuels:
Only 28 yards on 11 carries for a 2.5 yard average, but caught all seven targets for 64 yards to gain two first downs, including a third through a facemask penalty drawn while making a defender miss. He's billed as advertised: A talented receiving back that hasn't figured out how to contribute on the ground.
OFFENSIVE LINE: C
Roethlisberger had plenty of time, but the ground game was non-existent.
Alejandro Villanueva:
His edge was not a problem and he continues to be a solid contributor.
David DeCastro:
DeCastro again graded well for the Steelers. When they ran behind him they gained ground, but that didn't happen enough.
Maurkice Pouncey:
Was not the consistent assertive force he's normally been and lost several battles at the point of attack. The Steelers needed to dominate the middle of the line and he had an inconsistent day blocking for the run. The lone sack surrendered by the team was on his man, as well.
Ramon Foster:
The sack wasn't on Foster, but he wasn't a major asset in the run game either.
Matt Feiler:
Feiler was beat by Arden Key on the play when Dobbs' pass was ruled incomplete — a questionable call that could've been ruled a fumble. Also was a liability in the run game, often losing at the point of attack.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: B+
This group gave the best performance for the team, even though it came from mostly one player.
JuJu Smith-Schuster:
Eight catches on 12 targets for 130 yards and two spectacular touchdowns. His first touchdown grab took great concentration in the back of the end zone after Roehtlisberger sailed a high pass that almost went over his head. The second featured him dragging a linebacker into the end zone on an underneath pass. He put the team in position to tie the game at the end when he took the hook-and-ladder from James Washington 45 yards to set up the fateful blocked field goal.
Antonio Brown:
Though he should've been targeted more early in the game, he only had 35 yards on five catches from seven targets, and the interception came on a play he didn't finish while guarded by Gareon Conley. While we wonder what could've been had his number been called more in the right ways, he didn't do enough to change the game.
Vance McDonald:
Four catches for 37 yards and fought for some hard first downs to extend drives.
Ryan Switzer:
Was targeted one time and tripped when he had an open path to the end zone.
James Washington:
Caught two of four targets for just 11 yards, but his six-yard reception converted a first down on the way to the team's first score and he caught the pass that set up the hook-and-ladder.
DEFENSIVE LINE: B
The numbers won't show their solid play, but the starters were one of the few bright spots on defense. The Raiders averaged 2.2 yards per carry on 25 attempts and they were the biggest reason.
Stephon Tuitt:
Finally got back into the sack column and added an extra tackle-for-loss. Helped set the tone against the run and looked like a wrecking ball early in the pass rush.
Cam Heyward:
Six tackles and was a leader against the run. He drew the double teams from the Raiders most of the game and didn't get overpowered.
Javon Hargrave:
He only saw 31 snaps, but at his natural role as a defensive tackle between Tuitt and Heyward, Hargrave looked more comfortable and won his gap on most occasions.
LINEBACKERS: B-
Mixed grade between a good day from the outside linebackers and a bad day from the inside linebackers.
T.J. Watt:
Four tackles and a swatted pass looked good on the stat sheet, but he also did a good job forcing the Raiders' runs back to the inside. He didn't get home for a sack, but he was an asset in stopping the run and winning in his spots.
Bud Dupree:
I know it's normal to bash Dupree, but he's stepped up his play the past few weeks. Rarely does he give up contain and he made several plays in this game. His five tackles included a sack, bringing his season total to 5.5. He also drew another holding penalty because of his release off the line and helped keep the Raiders run game in check.
His biggest mistake of the game came on a breakdown on a late touchdown, but it combined with a breakdown from another linebacker.
Vince Williams:
Looked lost on several occasions, only made one tackle and didn't help against a team that abused the middle of the field. Maybe his biggest mistake was on the touchdown involving Dupree.
This was the first touchdown the Raiders scored in the fourth quarter. Tight end Lee Smith sneaks on a crossing route to get past Williams for an easy pass by Carr:
Being fair to Williams, it looked like he was expecting help and Dupree looked like he got caught with his eyes in the backfield instead of helping on the crossing route. That's a communication breakdown. Dupree at least had an impressive showing before this, but Williams contributed little.
L.J. Fort:
Fort got his second straight chance to show what he could bring, but didn't help much in coverage and only had four tackles on 53 snaps. He wasn't great at the point of attack and it showed when engaging blockers. He didn't miss a tackle, but he also wasn't the fast inside linebacker the Steelers were hoping could shut down the middle of the field in coverage.
SECONDARY: F
The Raiders should not have been able to move the ball at all against this group. But the fact that they did in the biggest moments could be a bad sign of things to come.
Morgan Burnett:
Sure, he did have a nice pass defended late, but you cannot overlook how badly Burnett was beat by Jared Cook all game. Cook caught 7 catches on 10 targets for 116 yards — most of them were while Burnett was covering him. Burnett was specifically brought to this team to eliminate the tight end problem and the primary threat on the Raiders' roster had his way. Good luck against Rob Gronkowski.
Joe Haden:
Wasn't out of position and didn't have a horrible game, but got beat in the most critical moments, including a 10-yard connection to Jordy Nelson on third down on the Raiders' second touchdown drive and a slant to Marcell Ateman to convert an earlier third down on the same drive.
Mike Hilton:
While he led the team in tackles, had a sack, two tackles for losses and a pressure that forced an incomplete pass in the red zone, he was not good in coverage. He gave up the Raiders' game-winning touchdown to Derek Carrier while he maintained outside leverage:
You can see Hilton loses Carrier on his inside cut, but that's where Hilton has usually been at his best. Stopping, cutting and attacking underneath routes has been Hilton's strength for two seasons now, but he loses his footing and gets beat by a tight end while Terrell Edmunds and Haden focused on Jordy Nelson.
Sean Davis:
Two missed tackles and didn't help take away the middle of the field. Dropped another interception.
Terrell Edmunds:
The rookie looked like he was around the ball, but he was late where he needed to attack the ball and didn't get his hands on the ball when he had his chances.
THE ROAD AHEAD
The Steelers blew their chance to get it together before they played the Patriots. A combination of poor individual performances and poor planning led to one of the worst losses in the Tomlin era. Considering they're about to face Bill Belichick and a team that's made a living off exploiting teams' fundamental weaknesses, that's a bad omen.
