The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off one of their worst offensive performances of the season. Being held to less than 200 total yards of offense for the second time in four weeks, the Steelers did so not against one of the best defenses in the NFL like when they were held to 163 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles, but to one more towards the bottom of the league in overall numbers. It also happened to be the same team in which they put up over 500 yards of offense one month earlier.

So what was different? Was it complete lack of execution or an inept game plan?

While the best answer is a combination of both, I want to focus on the game plan the Steelers had in Week 18 and why it is so concerning. Instead of seeing a Steelers offense like fans got used to in late October into early December, what I saw on the field brought back flashbacks of 2022 and 2023.

Was the Steelers game plan to curl up in a ball and make sure they didn’t turn it over and pray their defense could do enough against the most prolific passing offense in the NFL? Is that what the Steelers thought would be their recipe for success?

First off, before determining if this is what the Steelers were doing, I have to give an argument for why this is such a bad idea. The Steelers had no fire power on offense last season and the only way they could squeeze out a victory was for their defense to keep them in and pray their offense could do just enough to win. It was a frustrating brand of football for Steelers fans. Part of the reason there was more hope throughout the 2024 season because this philosophy seemed to be far behind us. Unfortunately, I think we saw it again to finish 2024 which should also give fear that it was what the Steelers will try to do going into the postseason.

During Mike Tomlin’s press conference on Monday, the Steelers head coach dropped in a few phrases which made me fear that this was what the Steelers were trying to do even more. At first I thought it was just me. I hoped I was mistaken. But then these things were said.

First, Coach Tomlin talked about the team having problems with turnovers and in the red zone over the last four weeks. He did talk about how the defense did a better job in this last matchup. This might not be the most egregious statement, but taken with what Coach Tomlin said in the question and answer portion then more jumps out. When asked about running the ball on all first downs, Coach Tomlin talked about the agenda that they had in that game. When asked about trying to force a running identity on the team being so high in rushing attempts but ranked so low in yards per carry, Coach Tomlin talked about playing to their personality. But the next thing he said was the most concerning…

Coach Tomlin added there is much less risk in running than in passing.

Once again, it’s not that this is a false statement. Instead it is confirming my fears that the Steelers offense is regressing back to being based on more about not turning it over than actually producing anything.

This is a huge problem.

I’m not wanting to be preachy, but for those of you who may have attended Sunday school as a child could remember the parable of the talents. Three different servants were given a different amount of talents (a form of money) while their master was away. One servant, fearing that something might go wrong, buried it in the ground only to return it to his master when he came back. When the other two servants had taken what they had been given and doubled their amounts, they were praised while the other servant was condemned.

Why did I bring this up? It’s to emphasize the notion of “no risk, no reward.”

If the Steelers offense goes back to simply living in its fears where they would rather have a three and out drive that doesn’t turn the ball over than actually turn it into a field goal, let alone a touchdown, then the Steelers might as well not even make the trip to Baltimore. If they’re not going to go for it out of a fear of failure, all they’re going to do is fail like they have the last four games.

Am I way off base here? Is it feeling like the Steelers offense curled up in a ball and tried not to turn it over rather than actually score points? The Steelers only had 91 yards of offense through 3 quarters and only opened things up when they absolutely had to, and it resulted in a two-point loss. If they try the same thing again in Baltimore, it’s not going to have a better outcome.

I would love to know the thoughts of our excellent community about this. Let me know if I’m way off or if I have a reason for concern. Even if this was what the Steelers did attempt to do last Saturday night, hopefully they can see the error of their ways and not try it again in the playoffs.