My internet has been down for a while, and I didn't get the chance to comment on the game. So......
Outside of the drive where they let the Bengals literally run it up the gut on us, knowing damn well they were going to run each time, for a touchdown... we actually looked pretty good on defense for once. Pressure on the QB, was decent, particurally down the stretch. Coverage was great, and Ike Taylor played a lot better (even the touchdown on him was a perfect pass), although I'm not convinced we can replicate this success against a team with more than one receiver who's worth a damn.
Offensively, there were positives and negatives. Ben was hit or miss, but our receivers honestly didn't help us out many, especially Wallace who I'm convinced doesn't give a flying fuck anymore. The running game looked pathetic early on, but picked up considerably as the game went on. But as always, I'm never fooled by the exception to the rule. We sucked at rushing without Mendenhall before, and one positive game without him isn't going to change that trend. Similar to Amos Zereoué, Redman, etc... he's likely only good coming off the bench, and not when placed in a position where he's the sole carrier for the entirety of the season. Oh, and why the fuck are we running Rainy's skinny midget ass up the middle? It worked once, but that sure as hell doesn't mean it's a good idea.
I actually enjoy what Haley has done with the offense. Plays are quicker, and Ben is on his back less as a result (partially because of Ben's ridiculous ability to shed tacklers). But there was a stretch during this game where we were doing nothing but runs, screens and dump offs... when our strengths are obviously in our ability to spread the defense and carve away 8+ yarders at ease, and we looked like absolute shit when we went away from it. Don't do it again Haley.
And our offense is baller as shit in the no huddle, especially Ben who commands it like a fucking general 99.9% of the time, and I still can't believe that the fucking coaches can't see what every analyst, spectator and fan sees. Maybe we need to bring in some fucking bum offensive coordinator who doesn't have a foot to stand on, because I'm starting to think Arians, and now Haley, are too proud to remove themselves in such a significant way with the no huddle, effectively leaving the offense in the hands of Ben during the game.
Oh, and I know there's probably holding and illegal blocks in the back on nearly kick and punt return, but what did the Steelers do to be the only fucking team in the NFL to be called out on it? I swear, any return return greater than 10-20 yards is guaranteed to be brought back with a penalty. I constantly find myself begging our returners to just fall to the ground, or run out of bounds, out of fear that we're giving the officials more time to realize that they've yet to throw a flag for a holding call.
