Steelers given a ton of respect despite frustrating loss to Ravens
Well, that was rough. Three interceptions, including two in the red zone, are usually a recipe for losing football. The Pittsburgh Steelers were forced to play a game with Mitch Trubisky after Kenny Pickett entered the concussion protocol and was ruled out for the day. Of course, that isn't a fair reason to excuse themselves […]
Well, that was rough. Three interceptions, including two in the red zone, are usually a recipe for losing football. The Pittsburgh Steelers were forced to play a game with Mitch Trubisky after Kenny Pickett entered the concussion protocol and was ruled out for the day.
Of course, that isn't a fair reason to excuse themselves and the Steelers know it. The Baltimore Ravens entered the game with Tyler Huntley at quarterback and finished it with Anthony Brown.
But the sky isn't falling for the Steelers and the respect recently given to them is proof of that.
Even after that frustrating 16-14 loss to a hated rival, oddsmakers are making the Steelers a 1.5 road favorite for next week's game against the Carolina Panthers.
Although that doesn't make up for Sunday, it's an important reminder that this team has been playing good football over the past few weeks and have continued to get better and better. The Panthers just weren't on the road to Seattle and owned the Seahawks on a comfortable 30-24 win.
As things stand right now, the Steelers can kiss any playoff hopes goodbye. At 5-8, they're not making it to the postseason. But it's important to keep in mind that isn't what this season was about and we all knew it.
The Steelers are in rebuild mode after the Ben Roethlisberger era and what matters most is a couple of things.
- Kenny Pickett's development as a quarterback.
- Pittsburgh finding foundational pieces to a well-balanced roster that could make them contenders from one year to another.
This one hurt and I realize this doesn't make it alright.
But the Steelers remain a team that's improving as the early betting spread reminds us. Being a road favorite, even against a 5-8 team, is a reminder of that improvement and recent level of play.
Featured image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
