11-03-2018, 04:40 PM
(11-03-2018, 02:08 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: No offense, but I can't buy into this. The defense had to do its job. They failed. And why are we having to come up and score like we have in the 4th all year long (KC game excluded)? We need a solid defense and we don't even have a mushy one. They are pretty bad. No excuses for the D. A good defense doesnt keep you in the game, it closes it out for you. Not what we are seeing here. Again, no ill will intended, just disagree.
No offense taken.
I am in agreement with you. The loss is on the defense.
The only caveat I am adding is that even with the poor defensive play we could be 6-2 instead of 5-3. To be 5-3 with this defense is a testament to how good our offense is. I am just pointing out that we could be 4-4 if not for the Falcons not having any time left to work with. Hell Atlanta was able to get into FG range with 7 seconds on the clock, if they had a TO, I wonder if they would have been able to call that with 1 second remaining and kick a FG.
It is the job of the coaches to fix the issues that we have on defense. If they can't do it by improving their play then they have to do it by adjusting the offense, if only for a little.
It isn't like I am saying Mixon shouldn't have scored, or that we should have taken a knee. Not at all. I am saying that we should have tried to keep the clock going, while moving down the field.
Here are the plays after the 2 min warning, with us having 2 TOs and only 34 yards away from scoring.
1st down - Pass INC to Core clock stop.
2nd down - 23 yrd Pass to Green - in bounds. Clock started at 1:56 and is running, we snap again at 1:24.
1st- down - 7 yrd Pass to Green who runs OB to stop the clock. Clock stops at 1:21
2nd and 3- A first down is possible without a TD. Mixon runs for a TD stops the clock.
When the Steelers get the ball and only needing a FG to win, they have all 3 TOs and 1:12 to work with.
Nothing wrong with Mixon scoring. The opportunity was there and no sure thing that we are able to score with 4 chances, though I am of the mind that we SHOULD be able to score with 4 chances to get it.
All I am suggesting is that the coaches start the 2 min with a run to Mixon and take the play clock down to near 0 before throwing to Green. We wouldn't need to take a TO. Being that the clock is running, that 23 yrd play to Green would have us 1st and 10 with under a 1 min to go and 2 TOs. The next play to Green would stop the clock with about 30s on the clock. The next play to Mixon would have us with the lead with 24-25s left. Assuming Pitt doesn't take a TO after the run play or the following play with Green.
If they do call a TO after the run play, then we start it up again with the play to Green. If they call another, then we run the ball to start it up again. If they call another then all 3 TOs are used, putting less pressure on our defense. Less time to work with and no TOs, Ben may hold on to the ball a split second longer, or throw an errant pass. We also protect the sidelines, and keep them in the field of play, giving up yards but keeping that clock rolling.
