Steelers vs. Ravens: Twitter Reaction and Full Post-Game Quotes

There’s no doubt that there is parity in the NFL, but some nights, it really doesn’t feel like it. On Thursday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers went into Baltimore and got pushed around for 60 minutes, leaving with a 26-6 loss.

Things started off OK for Pittsburgh. They took the opening kickoff and were marching down the field for an early score. However, a crippling fumble by wide receiver Justin Brown gave the football, and all the momentum, to the Ravens. Momentum that Baltimore never relinquished.

It was an embarrassing performance on prime-time television but hardly the end of the world. Yes, 2-0 with two division wins would be great. However, after starting last season 0-4, and with so many new pieces on this roster, 1-1 should be something to rally around, not throw in the Terrible Towel about. 

Alex Kozora of steelersdepot.com echoed this sentiment.

"

Please keep perspective though. Went 0-4 last year, nearly made playoffs. One loss doesn't doom this team, ugly as it is. #Steelers

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 12, 2014"

As with every prime-time game, all of Twitter was focused on the Steelers and Ravens, so everyone is an expert. Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting tweets from the Thursday night loss.

One area that it was hoped there would be improvement was pertaining to turnovers. Nevertheless, as KDKA meteorologist Jeff Verszlya pointed out, this is still a work in progress.

"

#Steelers Defense has forced *zero* turnovers through 2 weeks...some things never change

— Jeff Verszyla (@Verz) September 12, 2014"

ESPN.com’s Matt Williamson took it a step further.

"

The #Steelers D has FAILED to create 20 turnovers in each of the last 3 seasons…unheard of…and going for 4!

— Matt Williamson (@WilliamsonNFL) September 12, 2014"

I know that fans like to point at poor officiating in a sloppy football game like this, but rest assured the Steelers did plenty all on their own to lose this football game. Steelers writer Dejan Kovacevic shared this snippet from head coach Mike Tomlin right after the game.

"

Tomlin: 'Obviously a disappointing effort by us. Too many self-inflicted wounds.' #obviously

— Dejan Kovacevic (@Dejan_Kovacevic) September 12, 2014"

There’s no doubt the past two weeks have been ugly. Even in the win over the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh collapsed for nearly two full quarters. Things so far this season have been way out of character, as pointed out by Football Outsiders assistant editor Scott Kacsmar.

"

Steelers usually pound Cleveland and play Baltimore tight. This year, blew a 24-pt lead to CLE & lost by 20 to BAL. Ruh-roh.

— Scott Kacsmar (@FO_ScottKacsmar) September 12, 2014"

Even WWE icon and Steelers fan Jim Ross didn’t know what to make of the game.

"

Damn...my @steelers getting woodshedded. @Ravens playing w/ more urgency. Rice debacle didn't phase #Baltimore

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 12, 2014"

Pittsburgh is going to have to take these extra days and go back to the drawing board as far as what works and what doesn’t. The defense was shoddy and really the only bright spot on either side of the football was the play of running back Le’Veon Bell. According to FantasyPros expert John Paulsen, Bell continues to be the catalyst of the offense.

"

Le’Veon Bell with 107 total yards plus 5 catches.

— John Paulsen (@4for4_John) September 12, 2014"

ESPN’s John Buccigross took it even a step further.

"

Yds From Scrimmage RB Since Week 4 2013: McCoy 1,747 Forte 1,739 Charles 1,639 Moreno 1,503 Le’Veon Bell 1,456

— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) September 11, 2014"

However, no matter how well Bell plays, things like this just can’t happen.

"

The Steelers outscored their opponent 27-3 in the first 2 quarters of the season. They've been outscored 50-9 in the 6 quarters since.

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 12, 2014"

What should Steelers’ fans expect going forward? It seems as if most of Twitter, Steelers’ fans and otherwise, have decided Pittsburgh are goners. Bleacher Report NFL lead writer Matt Miller wonders which Steelers team is the real one.

"

So, the Steelers are more what we saw in the 2nd half against Cleveland and not so much what we saw in the 1st half.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) September 12, 2014"

For all the panic and paranoia after a loss like this, it is important to remember that this is a long season. Oftentimes, NFL teams make the playoffs merely through attrition. The AFC North isn’t a division that will require 12 victories to win.

The hard truth is this: This is now coach Tomlin’s team. His hands are all over the roster and so its success or failure is going to be a direct reflection on him. He and his staff need to evaluate the antiquated defensive concepts in place and determine how to best maximize what is right now a very thin group of offensive skill players. Still, it is far from time to panic. It is merely time to regroup.