The Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff chances declined after their 39-30 loss in Seattle on Sunday, just as their pass defense did against the Seahawks.
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Following their game against Indianapolis, Pittsburgh still have four games in their regular season schedule against the Bengals, Denver Broncos, Ravens, and the Browns.
While nothing is certain in the National Football League, Seattle’s remaining hurdles appear far from formidable.
The win over Pittsburgh was nonetheless important for several reasons.
Seattle won the past two NFC championships and the Super Bowl after the 2013 season.
It’s tempting to look at Sunday’s game as a turning point for the Seahawks’ offense.
As ESPN’s Sheil Kapadia writes, “By my count, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was 3-for-10 for 24 yards and an interception when throwing to Brown against Sherman”.
In those matchups, Smith had one catch for 16 yards in two games against the Seahawks, Austin had two catches for minus-2 yards, Johnson had seven receptions for 56 yards, Bryant had two catches for 12 yards and Brown had six catches for 51 yards.
The union also continues to monitor the Keenum situation. On a day when Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw five touchdowns and no interceptions, those costly interceptions from the Steelers were the deciding factors in the game. Battling flu-like symptoms, Wilson passed for 345 yards and five touchdowns and earned a quarterback rating of a staggering 147.9.
As December begins, Pittsburgh (6-5) is right in the middle of the chaos wondering how it let a winnable game slip away so convincingly in a 39-30 loss.
The Hawks were efficient in the red zone, in converting third-and-long yardage opportunities and in the fourth quarter – all areas in which they’ve been lacking this season. When the Steelers are sloppy, however, they are vulnerable. Baldwin caught a 30-yard TD midway through the fourth quarter after Pittsburgh had taken a 27-26 lead.
On Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin described the injury as a concussion.
Moments later, the Seahawks faced third-and-10 from their own 20.
It could be over before the Steelers play Baltimore and Cleveland on the road in their final two games. The Steelers failed to produce a turnover for the third time this season.
Dubbed “Angry Doug” for his frequent post-game rants, Baldwin was positively mellow following Sunday’s game.
Matthew Stafford, Lions: He threw for 337 yards and 5 touchdowns in his staff’s 45-14 win over the Eagles. “I think more guys should do it. When you’re done, you want to be a husband or father, and if I have these brain injuries it’s not worth it”.
“I was on the sideline thinking ‘Do I want to go back into this game?’ I was thinking of my family, my lifestyle when I get done with football, with all these injuries… the brain is nothing to mess with”.
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A hard and crucial game awaits next week in Minnesota, but the Seahawks have to be thrilled with an impressive victory over a tough opponent.
