PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Monday, November 10, 2008
Colts wquarterback Peyton Manning is sacked by Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith in the first quarter. The Colts won 24-20. (Matt Detrich / The Star)
A great defense is a terrible thing to waste.
Yet the Steelers are in danger of doing exactly that.
Didn't we watch this same game two weeks ago?
The Steelers blowing a fourth-quarter lead at home against a quality opponent?
The offense shooting itself in the foot, then leaving it up to the NFL's top-ranked defense to pull off a miracle?
Well, even this defense has its limits.
The Steelers gave up a long touchdown pass during Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Heinz Field. Peyton Manning's first-quarter bomb was deflected by cornerback Ike Taylor, who appeared to make a great play until the ball went off his hand to receiver Reggie Wayne, who graciously accepted the gift and weaved his way to a 65-yard touchdown.
It's doubtful that even the Steel Curtain could have stopped the Colts' two other touchdown drives.
Both were set up by Ben Roethlisbeger interceptions, and both occurred at the Steelers' end of the field. The average length of those two drives was a scant 32 yards.
Peyton Manning's 17-yard touchdown pass to running back Dominic Rhodes with 3:10 remaining -- four plays into a 34-yard drive -- basically sealed the outcome.
"We're playing short fields. You can't give Peyton a short field like that," Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison said in a subdued Steelers locker room. "Sometimes, we can stop them; sometimes, we can't. Like I said, that's Peyton Manning."
Like it or not, the Steelers' offense continues to play with fire. Once again, the defense was the burn victim.
Eric Foster, of the Colts, stuffs Mewelde Moore, of the Steelers, on a big third down goal line stop late in the game for the Colts, at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA, Colts at Steelers, Sunday, November 09, 2008. Colts won 24-20. (Robert Scheer / The Star)
Two weeks ago, in a 21-14 loss to the New York Giants at Heinz Field, the defense lived up to its No. 1 ranking, limiting the Giants to a pair of field goals on three drives originating in Steelers' territory -- all three set up by Roethlisberger interceptions.
Yesterday, the Steelers' defense wasn't as successful.
"Yeah, but we've been in that situation plenty of many times. We didn't play our best today," defensive captain James Farrior said. "It's hard, but that's why we get paid the big bucks."
Added defensive end Aaron Smith: "We've got to find a way to keep them to a field goal."
Nice try, guys.
Like Harrison said, this is Peyton Manning we're talking about.
Yeah, it would have been a wonderful story if the Steelers had kept the Colts out of the end zone late in the game, but what about the six other Indianapolis drives that resulted in punts?
It wasn't as if the Colts were moving the ball at will. Far from it.
If the Steelers' offense doesn't get its act together soon and if the defense continues to be asked to accomplish the impossible task of playing on short fields, Dick LeBeau's unit could be in danger of flaming out down the stretch, just as it did last season.
A telling moment in yesterday's game occurred late in the second quarter, when Roethisberger's pass on third-and-2 from the Steelers' 16 intended for Santonio Holmes was intercepted.
Not only was it a bad throw, but it was a poor call for a team featuring the league's top-ranked defense. Why not try to run the 2 yards for a first down or punt and leave it up to the NFL's best defense to bring the half to a close?
"It was a little bit of miscommunication, and it was costly," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of the play.
No truer words were spoken.
John Harris is a sports writer for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.
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