It can be seen and felt. The vibes in Pittsburgh are at a season low. It wasn’t long ago the Steelers seemed in firm control of the AFC North with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals potentially cementing the division before the halfway mark of the season. Now, the Steelers are trying to prevent the season from spiraling on them. And J.J. Watt knows it.
“I would say very different vibes right now and very different vibes in Pittsburgh just from a couple weeks ago where they had a chance to potentially put a stronghold on the division,” Watt said while weighing in on the Steelers during his weekly Wednesday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
Pittsburgh remains atop the division and, for the moment, isn’t in immediate threat of losing that status. Thanks to Cincinnati getting upset Sunday, the Steelers still have a clear leg up on the second-place Bengals. But the margin is thinner than it should be and the healthy Baltimore Ravens, getting back QB Lamar Jackson for tomorrow’s game against the Miami Dolphins, are poised to go on a run. With two games to play against Pittsburgh, the division remains open.
“The vibes are just completely different over the course of a couple weeks,” Watt said.
Pittsburgh’s offense has been the stronger unit but has its share of issues. An inability to finish drives against the Packers was a problem and turnovers have become more frequent. The Steelers’ three giveaways the last two games are the same number the team had over the first five games of the season. Defensively, the secondary has been a mess and will now play without DeShon Elliott for the next month — and potentially the remainder of the season.
“They have to get it corrected,” Watt said of the defense. “You just can’t give up 143 yards, two touchdowns to the tight end. Right after you gave up all those yards of Ja’Marr Chase. If you’re looking at this as you’re Tyler Warren, you’re just salivating.”
Warren, the Colts’ rookie tight end, is putting on a show this season. He’s scored in three of his last four games. Among all tight ends, Warren ranks fifth in receptions (37), first in yards (492), and just outside the top 10 in touchdowns (3). A consistent receiver, he’s recorded five-plus targets in all but one game this season. Pittsburgh ranks as one of the NFL’s worst teams against tight ends.
Pittsburgh’s in danger of going on another three-game losing streak for an eighth-straight season. A loss to the Colts will make the division race tighter and make the month of October even more depressing. A hole the Steelers could theoretically still climb out of but one they might not have the capability of doing.
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