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The Pittsburgh Steelers went into Sunday’s home showdown against the New England Patriots with a chance to not only go to 2-0 but also quiet the critics who said the offense can’t play and the defense can’t function without linebacker T.J. Watt.
They accomplished neither. The Steelers lost to the Patriots 17-14 in what you could call a slugfest but was really just ugly football.
Pittsburgh’s offense came out completely flat and stayed flat for four quarters. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky had another bad showing and the Pittsburgh fans let him hear it with chants for rookie Kenny Pickett.
Defensively, this group held out as long as they could but late in the game you could see the defensive front gassed after keeping the Patriots in check for most of the game and late New England just ran out the clock.
The Steelers now have a short week to try and get things right before playing the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night.
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