Steelers-Lions Ugly Tie Contest: NFL Writers Aghast Over Game

Pittsburgh PA

15 November, 2021

7:51 AM

Description

PITTSBURGH, PA — Good football teams are supposed to beat bad ones, especially at home. The Detroit Lions came into Heinz Field Sunday with an 0-8 record and the Steelers couldn't beat them, so it's easy to conclude that the Steelers are not a good team. Here's what NFL writers across the country thought about the 16-16 tie: Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk: "It was a game neither team deserved to win. And neither team did win...Mason Rudolph marched the Steelers down the field for a touchdown on his first drive, but could do next to nothing the rest of the game. Rudolph wasn't helped by his receivers, who lost two fumbles in overtime."Brooke Pryor, EPSN: "Sunday afternoon was a comedy of errors. The game featured a snap over Mason Rudolph'a head; a fumble by Diontae Johnson; multiple penalties on the defense; a missed 48-yard field goal by the Lions; a dropped pass by Pat Freiermuth and a fumble by Freiermuth. With season-dictating AFC matchups on the horizon, the Steelers couldn't close out a must-win game in overtime."Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports: "Pittsburgh's play-calling was suspect. With a backup quarterback playing in rainy conditions, the Steelers threw the ball 50 times. The Steelers called 19 fewer running plays despite having significantly more success on the ground (145 yards on 31 carries) then in the air (242 yards on 30 of 50 passing)."Gary Gramling, Sports Illustrated: "The Steelers got the result they played for. Granted, it was Mason Rudolph working with a bunch of backup receivers. But the Lions don't pressure the quarterback, the Steelers drew a long pass interference penalty early, yet in the end they retreated back into their shell, going all quick-game and keeping the Lions around."Jelani Scott, NFL.com: "Losing Ben Roethlisberger (COVID-19) and Chase Claypool (toe) firmly placed the Steelers' backs against the wall. And the end result provided a lesson in never estimating one's opponent. Mason Rudolph and James Washington stepped in for their comrades, but did little to help the Steelers find any sort of rhythm."Next: The Steelers visit the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday at 8:20 p.m.