Mike Tomlin cites lack of physicality by Steelers in loss to Bills
A review of the game tape from a 26-15 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night confirmed a flaw that is uncharacteristic for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
They were not the most physical team on the field.
Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the problem several times Tuesday in his weekly news conference.
“It can be highlighted in terms of their front and our inability to run the ball, but in general I thought in all of the elements of play, they were the more physical group,” Tomlin said. “They are a physical football team in general, and they are capable of that. For us, regardless of circumstance, we don’t want to make that comment.
“That comment is true as it pertains to that matchup, and we have to be accountable for that.”
The Steelers entered the game short-handed on defense because of linebacker Vince Williams’ addition to the reserve/covid-19 list and Joe Haden’s concussion. They already were minus Devin Bush, Bud Dupree and Robert Spillane, who each are on injured reserve.
In the loss, the Steelers’ second in a row, they also lost left guard Matt Feiler and backup Kevin Dotson. Feiler was placed on injured reserve Monday, but Tomlin didn’t rule out Dotson returning against Cincinnati.
Compounding matters for the offensive line is right tackle Chuks Okorafor is dealing with an ankle injury he suffered against Buffalo. At one point, the Steelers had backup center J.C. Hassenauer playing left guard and Jerald Hawkins playing right tackle.
Derwin Gray, who was inactive against Buffalo, can play guard and tackle. He is the only remaining backup on the 53-man roster. The Steelers have three offensive linemen on the practice squad.
The game was the third in 12 days for the Steelers, and Tomlin said the short turnaround against Washington and then Buffalo, in addition to the mounting injuries, might have played a part in his team’s lack of physicality.
“It is disappointing,” Tomlin said about being dominated by the Bills. “But part of fixing it is first acknowledging it. That is what we did yesterday. We watched the tape and part of watching the tape is looking at it and analyzing that component of play. Then, it’s making a commitment and plotting course of action to make sure our next tape doesn’t look like that.”
This week, the Steelers get an extra day to prepare for their game Monday night at Cincinnati. Given the additional day, Tomlin plans to have his players practice in pads once.
Other players listed on the injury report by Tomlin were running back James Conner (quad) and safety Terrell Edmunds (shoulder). Tomlin does expect Haden to return from concussion protocol this week and play against the Bengals.
Here is some of what Tomlin had to say in his press conference:
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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