WHO'S FAULT IS IT II

Unfortunately I'm going to have to reprise this feature for a second consecutive week. I didn't want to have to do it again all this year, but unprecedented events occurred this weekend in Steeler Nation. 1. They lost to the BenGals. 2. They lost a second consecutive game and they barely beat the Titans. They need a little home cookin' and a lot of Troy Polamalu back in the lineup. Troy won't be back for another 2 weeks at the minimum though. So who's fault was this most recent loss.

Was it Ben's
Can't lay the blame on this one for Ben. He played well and despite a pick six he put the Steelers in position to win. He even was able to do what the running backs can't seem to do and score a rushing TD. He had 1 passing TD also and should have had 2. Not Ben's fault this Sunday.

Was it the Running Backs fault?
That's singular because for some reason Willie got all the carries and Rashard was nowhere to be found. Willie did a good job and had a very good run the second time he touched the ball, so much so that you wonder why B.A. didn't rush more often. Probably because Frank Summers was not active and David Johnson went out early with an injury. Either Rashard is in the doghouse or Tomlin wanted to send a message that Willie was the number 1 back and he could carry the load. The announcers eluded to Mike Tomlin sending a message to Mendenhall that he needs to have a sense of urgency in practice as well as games. Is it possible that Rashard isn't the hardest working guy in the training room. He was pretty much a no show after his injury last season until the Super Bowl. But, no the running game wasn't the problem this game.

Was it the Receivers' faults?
Did anybody see that guy in a number 14 jersey masquerading as a player. Could that pass be thrown any better, could he be any more wide open. Uh, Ben could you please carry that ball down to the end zone and put it in that guy's hands, because it's not getting there any other way. Do you think Santonio is still a little dazed from that Super Bowl catch? That gives him a pass for several games, but please wake up Santonio. It looked like from reactions that he should have been looking for the pass that turned into a pick six. I had flashbacks to Neil O'Donnell getting picked off and Andre Hastings looking around with a dazed look. Hines provided his usual stability, but he can't bail the receivers out forever. Mike Wallace did a great job on those 3rd downs but he needs to stop falling down. Ben did throw it low to avoid any chance of a INT.

Was it the Defenses fault?
I'm going to lump them all together for this. The Steelers had a 20-9 lead in the 4th quarter and needed a stop on one of two drives. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley are getting little to no pressure on the quarterbacks and although they did not allow any huge runs they were giving up first down after first down on the run. Where is the pressure this year? Troy is sorely missed and Benson would not have had that TD run if he was in there. I have a feeling JH and LW will break out of this, but it better be soon.

Was it the Special Teams fault?
They gave up a long return on the first kick, but it did not lead to a score. Jeff missed another field goal, but that didn't hurt them as much as last week. Stefan had a good return to set up a TD, but he also for reasons unknown, wasn't in position to even make a fair catch on a punt and let it go another 15 yards until it stopped rolling.

Was it the Coaches fault?
The defense is not getting off the field like it should and not providing any pressure. I'd say part of that falls on the coach's but Tomlin, Lebeau, and Arians can't catch the wide open balls in the endzone.

Was it the referees?
They are harassing Hines Ward with all these penalties. It is ridiculous. He needs to blindside one of them and knock some sense into them. Oh yeah, and maybe they get some of the blame for Harrison not getting any sacks. Divert some of your attention to Harrison.

Gotta point my finger for this one to
1. That receiver guy that dropped the TD. I will not refer to him by name until he redeems himself somehow, and if he pulls that stunt again he might move to 4th on the depth chart and not see any more pt unless there's an injury.
2. The defense. They let the Bengals score 2 TDs in the fourth quarter and gave them way too many chances on that last drive. The Bengals controlled the clock as the Steelers did many times last year and did not give Ben any time to make that 2 minute drill drive to win the game.

Steelers Rule!!!!!