Ben Roethlisberger is taking the blame for just about everything that has been ailing the Steelers, from an ineffective running game, to the number of alarming drops by the receivers, to the failed execution of a fourth-down sideline pass to a third-team running back.
Most of the blame is unnecessary, if not unwarranted, particularly when it comes to the sudden rash of dropped balls. But the issues are nonetheless significant and a large reason why the offense has had the flow of melted peanut butter the past two games.
The dysfunction starts with the repeated failure to have any semblance of a running game since the start of November.
The Steelers have rushed for 285 yards in the past five games, including a season-low 21 yards on 14 carries in their first loss of the season against Washington. For comparison, the Baltimore Ravens rushed for more than that (294 yards) in their Tuesday-night victory against the Dallas Cowboys.
“We believe in our guys — the guys up front, the backs — sometimes it’s on me,” Roethlisberger said on Wednesday. “Sometimes it’s a [run-pass option] and I throw it instead of handing it off. Maybe I should have handed it off. We all need to get better, but it’s more than just the running game. We need to get better as a group. That fluidity comes from staying on the field and converting third downs, and that’s on me.”
The Steelers could benefit from the return of running back James Conner, who was activated from the COVID-19 list on Wednesday after missing the past two games. Roethlisberger said the possible return of Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, who has missed the past two games on the COVID list, should also help the running game, which ranks 29th in the league.
While giving credit to J.C. Hassenauer for stepping in at center, Roethlisberger said, “Pouncey is Pouncey. We’ve been together a long time. He’s a comfort blanket. In my opinion, he’s the best in the business, a Hall of Fame center. Anytime you got that guy up there, not just physically in terms of what he can do, but emotionally, mentally.
“He’s that lynchpin up front. He’s the main guy up there. They’ll all feel more comfortable with Pounce back. I’ll feel more comfortable. He’s our captain for a reason.”
Roethlisberger also blamed himself for the failed fourth-and-1 deep sideline pass to Anthony McFarland late in the fourth quarter, not only because it was a poor pass but also for trying to make that play with a rookie running back.
Washington took advantage of the failed conversion to go down the field and kick what turned out to be the decisive 45-yard field goal.
“I threw it to the outside probably more than I should have to a running back,” Roethlisberger said. “That throw was probably more suited for a receiver to make. If I could have had it back I would have put it inside a little more ... more up the field and maybe let him make a play. I shouldn’t put a rookie running back in position to make a wide receiver-type catch.”
Roethlisberger also took some blame for something he can’t control — the alarming number of drops (13) the past two games. The biggest culprits have been receiver Diontae Johnson (5) and tight end Eric Ebron (4), who are his second- and third-leading receivers behind JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Coach Mike Tomlin has chastised his receivers for dropping “makeable, catchable” passes and threatened to use receivers “who can catch it” if the problem continues.
“I think I need to give them more catchable balls, put them in position to catch balls where they’re not going to get hit,” Roethlisberger said. “I’m not going to worry too much about pulling them aside and having a heart-to-heart like, ‘You need to catch more balls.’ I need to be my best so they can be at their best, because when they’re at their best, we’re pretty good.”
Roethlisberger, though, didn’t seem too concerned about the inordinate number of passes he is attempting lately, an amount that would appear to be high for a quarterback whose surgically repaired elbow is monitored on nearly a daily basis.
He has attempted 105 passes in the past two games, even though the Steelers were basically leading in seven of the eight quarters, and 239 in the past five games. After 12 games, he has attempted a league-high 484 passes and is on pace for 645 attempts, which would be the second-most in his career.
“Typically, when you throw it 50 times, I don’t feel it in my elbow. I feel it in the rest of my body,” Roethlisberger said. “That’s going to probably be something as we work toward the end — does my arm feel fatigue? Can I still get the ball down the field? What’s it going to feel like in the offseason? I can’t answer that question because I just don’t know yet. That’s why I take days and I rest.”
Injury report
Roethlisberger had one of those rest days Wednesday, as he was listed as a non-participant on the injury report without an injury designation. Offensive linemen Al Villanueva and David DeCastro were also out without an injury.
In the line of known injuries, the following players were listed as DNP: linebacker Robert Spillane (knee), kicker Chris Boswell (hip) and cornerback Joe Haden (concussion). Defensive lineman Chris Wormley missed practice with an illness.
Cornerback Steven Nelson was listed as a full participant after missing Monday’s game with a knee injury.
