Three Reasons The Steelers Did Not Pull Out The Victory

Disappointing.  That is the best way to summarize Sunday's loss to the Bengals.  When you lose in the fashion that the Steelers lost in you can't help but realize what the Steelers did, or didn't do.

Problem #1:  Just stating the obvious-  Pass Protection/ Run Blocking

                  Throughout the game, the Steelers point of attack was dismal at best.  

                  The linemen did not seem to all be on the same train of thought.  Many

                  blocks were missed completely.

Problem #2:  Red Zone Offense

                  The Steelers will lose the rest of their games this season if they can't    

                  score touchdowns in the red zone.  Four field goals should have been 

                  touchdowns.  That is a difference of 16 points.  Something has to

                  change with Arians' system.

Problem #3:  Final Drive playcalling

                  The playcalling on the final drive was horrendous.  The Steelers had to

                  know that the Bengals were going to blitz on all four downs, doing

                  nothing to counter the blitz.  If Arians was thinking, he should have

                  maybe tried a wide receiver screen to Ward.  The final few plays were

                  designed for a cover three style defense, not an aggressive defense that

                  was sending five, six, or seven players.