The post Steelers trounce Redskins, 38-16, in season opener appeared first on Cover32.
Advertisement
One of the best, if not the best offenses in the National Football League proved to us just how risky and sometimes even unguardable they can be. Just as it sometimes looks like a contender.
TERRIBLE TOWELS: Remembering how Steelers fans took over FedEx Field in 2008, the Redskins are giving out burgundy rally towels to counteract the famous “Terrible Towels” that could be prominent. The result was a blowout-and more evidence that this team is still a pretender, not a contender.
The Redskins’ big mistake may have been putting too much confidence in Breeland, a promising player who is still inconsistent in his technique.
Shazier got that first interception and James Harrison a second after cornerback Ross Cockrell dropped one, all on a night when the Steelers looked frighteningly complete.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a good football team, but, they were playing at half strength and thats being generous. Guy develops as a really nice cornerback in the league, the Redskins go out and sign Josh Norman and promptly let all the really unsafe receivers drift Breeland’s way. Gruden’s club had a chance to chance that perception on Monday night with the country watching-and squandered it.
There are reasons why all of us aren’t defensive coordinators in the NFL. Tomlin said the Steelers “play to win”, and Roethlisberger overlooked two other open receivers to throw to Brown.
However, an offensive penalty led to a first-and-20, and Washington was forced to settle for another field goal, cutting the score to 24-9. And it showed just how slim the margin between great and so-so can be. Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey knocked the ball out of Kerrigan’s hands, and Roethlisberger dived on it at his 13-yard line.
Pittsburgh lived a charmed life, as another apparent fumble by Brown was ruled an incompletion. Williams polished off the final 15 on a touchdown run around left end behind blocks by David DeCastro and Sammie Coates.
“It was a freaky night”, Breeland said. Much like last season, the Steelers should be fine with Williams filling in during Le’Veon Bell’s three-game suspension. The only time DeAngelo Williams, who rushed for 143 yards, didn’t get to the second level was when he got to the third.
Going up against the formidable Josh Norman a good deal of the night, Brown was still pretty darn impressive, as he caught 11 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
“We knew it was coming; I knew it was coming”, Breeland said.
There’s no shame in losing to Pittsburgh, a trendy choice to reach the Super Bowl.
The Redskins now have a short week to get ready for next Sunday’s home game against the Cowboys. Words cannot describe how very bad this game was for Cousins and company. Green Bay, Arizona and Carolina still to play.
“A little bit”, Gruden said when asked if he’d given consideration to putting Norman on Brown. “We’ve got good confidence and communicate well”.
Advertisement
Washington showed why they’re a team that can not yet be considered a serious playoff contender.
