49ers HC offers Steelers' words of encouragement following brutal loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers were pummeled on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, but such is life in the NFL. A closer game would have been appreciated, but beatdowns happen in this league, especially when facing Super Bowl contenders. So while the week one reaction can be overwhelming, it doesn't mean it's always right, something Kyle […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers were pummeled on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, but such is life in the NFL.
A closer game would have been appreciated, but beatdowns happen in this league, especially when facing Super Bowl contenders.
So while the week one reaction can be overwhelming, it doesn't mean it's always right, something Kyle Shanahan and others just alluded to:
"I don't think it Says a lot about the Steelers"
“First games are weird, 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Monday. "You think about it forever. You overthink it. I don’t think it says a lot about the Steelers. That’s how games go in Week One.”
We have data stretching back years to prove that Shanahan may be on to something. During the Patriots' second part of their dynasty, they were known for their "Slow Septembers" often stumbling out of the gate before finding their rhythm.
Take AFC North foe Cincinnati for instance. They lost to the Steelers in Week 1 last season with Joe Burrow throwing five interceptions. They started out horrible again this year, losing 24-3 vs. Cleveland with Burrow throwing for less than 100 yards.
Does that mean Burrow lost it, or the Bengals, who have been a final-four team for the past two seasons are no longer good?
Of course not. What it means, is that week one isn't the best representative of what's to come, something Kyle Brandt of NFL Media spoke to:
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again to you: Week One is a liar. It is a pathological liar. Let me make sure you understand: there are teams in Week One that looked like garbage but will have home playoff games this year. There are teams that looked like Super Bowl teams but will miss the playoffs. You can look it up historically; Week One is a liar. Who told the biggest lie in Week One? …I think it’s the Steelers … I think that the Steelers are going to get off the mat. I just think they ran into the best team in football in the 49ers.” – Kyle Brandt GMFB
So while week two will be a mulligan for a horrible week one performance, if Pittsburgh falls at home on Monday Night Football, it could be time to signal the alarm, even if they face an uphill battle following the latest injury news.
Featured image via: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
