Steelers most to blame for brutal Week 13 loss to Cardinals
The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a shocking and disappointing loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13 of the 2023 NFL season. Several key players were responsible for the defeat. In this article, we break down the game and identify four Steelers figures who contributed to the loss. But first, let’s do a quick overview of the game. Week 13 Loss
It was only a week ago that the Steelers seemed to be gaining momentum again. The offense finally found its rhythm with effective ball movement. Meanwhile, the defense was also sufficiently successful. Although there are problems to be solved, there is a spark of hope in the team. But the Steelers’ fortunes took a turn for the worse on Sunday with a 24-10 loss to the Cardinals. It marked a season low for Pittsburgh. The loss is now one of the five worst of Mike Tomlin’s tenure as coach. A slew of mistakes were the main culprit for the Steelers’ struggles on Sunday. These include communication breakdowns, fines, negligent enforcement and irregular enforcement.
It was definitely a rough ride. There is no reason to leave this game to the Cardinals. Of course, every Sunday in the NFL is notoriously unpredictable. But winning is never easy. Kenny Pickett’s absence didn’t make things any easier. Surprisingly, quarterback play was the least of the team’s concerns.
Here we take a look at the four Pittsburgh Steelers most likely responsible for the Week 13 loss and their offensive play. Arizona Cardinals.
Mike Tomlin
The influence of the coach in such a game cannot be ignored. There is no doubt that Sunday’s game was a failure. Although they didn’t buy into the idea of a “play game”, the team seemed to be doing well. This outing is one of the worst outings in the franchise. That was just one of the low points of Tomlin’s coaching career. The Steelers have a knack for winning by a few points, but they fell off the edge in this one. Going forward, the team will need to learn quickly from this experience and focus on their upcoming game against the New England Patriots. call of a mason
Mason Cole’s performance in this game was poor. That’s especially true given Cole’s two key tackles and his continued work in pass protection. Despite gaining more confidence on the offensive line last season, they have struggled in the first half of this season. His performance gradually improved, but with this game he fell to the bottom again. Ineffective blocking and some bad decisions raised concerns about Cole’s future. That makes him a potential candidate to be released in the offseason. This leaves the center in urgent need of upgrades until 2024.
Michael Walker
As soon as Elandon Roberts left the game, Mikal Walker was targeted. Trey McBride took advantage of the matchup and quarterback Kyler Murray targeted Walker multiple times on crucial three downs. Walker’s struggles were evident on the Cardinals’ 99 yards late in the first half. Here he missed the crucial shot in the crucial third round. The day ended with James Conner scoring the equalizer to give Walker a strong boost. The Steelers could look for alternatives next week, with Blake Martinez likely to be a starting candidate after being inactive for two games.
transmission range
Joey Porter Jr. was charged with another offensive pass interference that helped the Cardinals put points on the board. While he has shown proficiency in the overall passing attack, Porter needs more maturity and solid technique. The Steelers’ passing ability has generally been low. Once again, McBride was the focal point of the Cardinals’ passing game. It’s too late to hit Minkah Fitzpatrick. Therefore, the coaching staff, including Tomlin and Terrill Austin, must take responsibility for their late response. Damontai Casey’s inconsistency against McBride also highlighted the need for timely adjustments going forward. It’s to be expected
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals highlighted the team’s significant struggles on several fronts. From coaching decisions and individual player performance to defensive mistakes and strategic adjustments, the breakdown of the group was evident. Mike Tomlin, Mason Cole, Mikal Walker and the pass coverage unit played a big role in the disappointing results. Moving forward, the Steelers are tasked with addressing these issues and making any necessary adjustments. They need to get back on track as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Patriots. The road to redemption will require a tremendous effort from players, coaches and the entire organization to overcome the challenges of these important games.
