Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images
The Steelers lost their 3rd game of the 2020 season, falling to a two win Bengals team. Snapping an eleven game win streak that survived Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges in 2019 doesn’t just happen, and the snap counts show the amount of turnover involved in the Steelers’ losing streak.
Offense
The Steelers had four of their offensive lineman healthy and playing the full game this week. Matt Feiler’s absence led to J.C. Hassenauer making his first career start at guard, and setting a career high for snaps playing somewhere other than center. The Steelers rotated Derwin Gray in for Hassenauer on 16 plays, setting a career snap count high for Gray. While the Steelers have seen worse offensive line situations, it was clear from the start of the game that Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t comfortable in the pocket.
How the Steelers can fix their goal line running game By steelerfan11 on Dec 21, 2020, 2:31pm EST +
Saying that the Steelers run game has been bad is putting it mildly. James Conner has been unable to stay healthy, and the offensive line just isn t built to be a good run-blocking unit. One of the bright spots up front has been rookie Kevin Dotson, but he is now sidelined with an injury that could keep him out a couple weeks.
Not all of the Steelers running game issues can be fixed based off of what the Steelers have to work with, but they can solve one issue with their current personnel: goal line situations.
NFL notebook: Steelers RB Conner questionable against Bengals
Pittsburgh has lost two straight and is also dealing with injuries on its offensive line.
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James Conner, who returned last week after missing two games while on the reserve/COVID-19 list, is questionable for Pittsburgh’s game against Cincinnati because of a quad injury.
Adrian Kraus/Associated Press
PITTSBURGH The Pittsburgh Steelers will have to try to clinch the AFC North title with a new-look offensive line.
The Steelers (11-2) ruled out rookie left guard Kevin Dotson for Monday night’s game against the Bengals (2-10-1). Dotson suffered a shoulder injury in last Sunday’s loss to Buffalo after replacing starter Matt Feiler, who was lost for the season in the same game because of a pectoral injury.
Steelers rookie G Dotson out, RB Conner questionable Follow Us
Question of the Day Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer, right, forces a fumble by Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner (30) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. The ball was recovered by . more > By - Associated Press - Saturday, December 19, 2020
PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Steelers will have to try to clinch the AFC North title with a new-look offensive line.
The Steelers (11-2) ruled out rookie left guard Kevin Dotson for Monday night’s game against the Bengals (2-10-1). Dotson suffered a shoulder injury in last Sunday’s loss to Buffalo after replacing starter Matt Feiler, who was lost for the season in the same game with a pectoral injury.
FEILER OUT FOR REST OF REGULAR SEASON By John Smathers
Dec 15, 2020 12:45 PM
The Steelers embattled offensive line took a big hit yesterday when the team placed starting left guard Matt Feiler on regular season-ending injured reserve. Feiler left the game against the Bills Sunday night because of a pectoral injury. Under this year’s IR rules, he could return for the first playoff game.
Rookie Kevin Dotson would be expected to replace Feiler in the lineup, but he also suffered a pectoral injury on Sunday, so his health is a big issue. Coach Mike Tomlin will address the Steelers injury situation at his news conference this afternoon. Derwin Gray, the team s 2019 seventh round draft choice, is a tackle capable of playing guard, and the team has tackles Anthony Coyle and Brandon Walton on the practice squad. The Steelers released veteran Stefen Wisniewski earlier in the season after he returned from an injury suffered in the first game of the year.