NFL Roundtable: Steelers are slipping as playoffs approach

Each week we sit down with BetAmerica Extra columnists Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Scott Shapiro to discuss the latest news from around the NFL. This week they weigh in on the Steelers' reversal of fortunes, the Jets' place in history, and Carson Wentz's future in Philadelphia.

The Steelers have now lost two straight. What’s changed for Pittsburgh?

Ashley: For one, playing three games in the span of 12 days doesn’t help. But the biggest issue has been the run game. Against Washington, Pittsburgh got a combined 21 yards out of Anthony McFarland, Benny Snell, and Jaylen Samuels. In Sunday night’s matchup, the Steelers ran for 47 yards against a defense that ranks 19th in rushing yards allowed. On top of their lack of production in the ground game, Steelers receivers are dropping the ball at an alarming rate. They committed seven drops against Washington and lead the league in dropped passes, with 33 on the season.

James: Everything has changed for Pittsburgh, and they no longer appear to be a viable threat to Kansas City in the AFC. Key injuries to the offensive line and defense have taken a toll, and Pittsburgh has become one-dimensional (136 rushing yards over last three games). The lack of a running game puts too much pressure on Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers were rolling during the first half of the season, outgaining their first six opponents on the ground, but their deficiencies have been exposed in recent weeks. I lack faith in Pittsburgh’s sluggish offense, and physical teams will give them problems in the playoffs.

Scott: I was never convinced that the Steelers were as good as their record, but their play has definitely regressed over their last few contests due to poor offense. Pittsburgh has struggled to run the ball consistently in 2020, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry, and has been unable to create explosive plays through the air. During the first half of the season, Ben Roethlisberger was able to use the short and intermediate passing game to move the football down the field, but the league has caught on. Mike Tomlin’s squad will need to be far more efficient on the ground and more explosive via the forward pass if they want to make a run in the playoffs. 

The Jets have fallen to 0-13. Are they the worst team in NFL history?

Ashley: Compared to the winless 2008 Lions and 2017 Browns, the 2020 Jets own a worse margin of defeat. Through 13 games, New York has lost by an average of 16.2 points, while the Lions had a 15.6-point margin of defeat, and Cleveland lost by an average of 11 points. The 2008 Lions were worst of the three in terms of yards per game (268.2), opponent yards per game (404.4), and opponent points per game (32.3). Detroit’s defense was atrocious, but New York’s offense is where the team is most pathetic. It’s almost a toss-up, but I still consider the 2008 Lions the worst team of all time.

James: Perhaps the worst-coached team in NFL history. I wouldn’t rank the Jets below the most recent winless teams, Cleveland in 2017, and Detroit in 2008. New York imploded against Seattle in Week 14, but they allowed a winnable game to slip away against Las Vegas in Week 13. The Jets were competitive in other games as well, but they’ve been compromised by inept coaching. Adam Gase is in over his head and has been a failure in both of his NFL coaching stints, but management has reason to stay the course as New York wants to select Trevor Lawrence with the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Jets must keep losing to maintain a slim advantage over 1-12 Jacksonville.

Scott: It is hard to defend the winless Jets at this point, but it is also difficult to deem them the absolute worst team in NFL history. Their offense is historically poor averaging less than 15 points per game, but their defense has not been that bad. Sure, they have yielded big plays at the worst times like they did against Las Vegas in Week 13, but overall they have played hard and fairly well. The 1976 Buccaneers and 2008 Lions were at least as bad as this Jets squad. 

Jalen Hurts performed well on Sunday against the Saints. Have we seen the last of Carson Wentz this season?

Ashley: Yes. Jalen Hurts faced one of the top defenses in the league in his first game as a starter and responded with a win. While he lost one fumble and threw for just 167 yards and a score, he proved to be an upgrade over the interception-prone Carson Wentz. The Eagles own an 11% chance of making the playoffs, and their only hope for a miracle postseason berth lies with Hurts. Even without the playoffs in the picture, it’s time to look ahead to the future with Hurts and get him more game experience.

James: Yes, I’m buying into Jalen Hurts following Philadelphia’s Week 14 win over New Orleans. Granted, it was the rookie quarterback’s first start, and teams will now have film to game plan, but Hurts makes a significant difference. He changed Philadelphia’s attitude. After underperforming all season, Carson Wentz had lost the locker room – the Eagles appeared to be mailing it in since mid-November. However, teammates rallied around Hurts in Week 14. Philadelphia is built to run the ball and play good defense, and Hurts brings an identity (106 rushing yards) they desperately needed. He also made some good throws (167 passing yards) against a formidable Saints defense.

Scott: Barring injury, there is no doubt that we have seen the last of Carson Wentz this season. The second overall pick in the 2016 draft has had some great performances for the Eagles, but he has been awful in 2020. Not only has he held onto the ball for far too long at times behind a banged-up offensive line, but he has also missed wide-open receivers regularly. Rookie Jalen Hurts led Philadelphia to a massive win against New Orleans on Sunday, and will be their starter for the rest of the campaign. 

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