I picked a very bad time to see the Steelers in action this year.
I figured the emotional win over the Jags the previous Sunday, would be the motivation needed to inflict a thorough pounding on the lowly Lions. I walked through the parking lot waving my terrible towel, bragging about the damage the Steelers would inflict on the Lions.
I was wrong by a long shot. The Offense looked lost most of the day, and couldn't capitalize on numerous opportunities. Even though they seemed to be in Detroit territory the whole day, they couldn't put the points on the board to seal the victory.
The Defense played outstanding from start to finish, with the exception of Carnell Lake being repeatedly victimized in the second half. Anytime a unit can shut down Barry Sanders, and force the opposition to be 0-10 on third down situations, you would have to think victory is in hand.
That was not the case. The ineptitude of the Offense allowed Detroit to stay close, and eventually led to defeat. The Bus was stopped once again, and Kordell could not carry the team on his shoulders as he has done in the past. If the coaching staff can not devise a plan to make Bettis effective, the playoffs are out of reach.
With the importance of this game as far as the playoff picture is concerned, I would have thought the offense would have played with some passion. Instead, they seemed indifferent, and it cost them on the scoreboard.
Although this game was the worst officiated contest I have ever seen, I can't blame the loss on the zebras. Sure, the coin toss may have cost the Steelers. The fatal facemask penalty killed them. The point is, this is supposed to be a team that aspires to reach, and win the Superbowl. The Steelers could have put the Lions away early, and never looked back. Instead, the lack of killer instinct once again finds the team 2 games back of Jacksonville.
It was a long drive home from Detroit.
