Steelers defensive meltdown ranks this season

[super cleats]

First 3 quarters: PPG Allowed: 1st YPG Allowed: 2
fourth quarter: PPG Allowed: 28th YPG Allowed: 32

That's disgusting, embarrasing numbers. I saw these cracks coming since the Super Bowl game.

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/po...arter-troubles

When the Pittsburgh Steelers took a 27-7 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals early in the fourth quarter Monday night, the thousands of Steelers fans in attendance at Paul Brown Stadium undoubtedly began to turn their thoughts to the team’s week 10 showdown with the New England Patriots.

And who could blame them? Never in the 77-year history of the Steelers has the team lost a game it led by at least 20 points. And no team has overcome a 20-point, fourth-quarter deficit in nearly four years, since the Tennessee Titans beat the New York Giants 24-21 in week 12 of the 2006 season.

But over the following 14:50, the same Steelers defense that held the Bengals to seven points and 156 yards through three quarters allowed 14 points, 116 yards and was a Jordan Shipley drop away from giving Cincinnati four shots to win the game from the 5-yard line. The Steelers’ late meltdown is the latest in a disturbing trend for one of the league’s premier defenses.

Pittsburgh has allowed an NFL-best 123 points through nine weeks, but more than half -- 63 to be exact -- have come in the fourth quarter. It’s not a one-year phenomenon for the Steelers, who allowed more fourth-quarter points than all but two teams in 2009, and let up 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIII before coming back to win.

Three of Pittsburgh’s seven losses last season came after it led by more than a field goal entering the final quarter, shocking when you consider in the previous 10 seasons (1999-2008) the Steelers were 75-3-1 in games where they led by at least four entering the last quarter, the best record in the NFL. Since 2009, Pittsburgh is 10-3 in such games, the league’s 27th-best record.

[steelersbabex25]

Dissapointing, but it's nothing new. That's the way the Steelers have played since the year they won the superbowl. They always allow that one last touchdown, whether the game is close or not. As long as they keep winning games regardless, it's not a problem to me.

[BlacknGold Bleeder]

Wins 6 losses 2 !! That's the only stat that counts. If you have not figured out that the defense is meant to bend not break ya really need to start paying attention.Do I like the fact they give up alot of points late no but the bottom line is wins.

[Scorp]

As long as we win the important games like Sunday, i hope. And if we make the playoffs it's all over for whoever we face.

[igor0190]

These so called "meltdowns" are a sign of what the NFL has become. The No deFense League. Another sign of it tonight in Atlanta when they go 80 yards to score a TD in 1:05. It's unfortunate, but the league has so many advantages for the offense now that football has changed. Thanks again Roger Goofball.

[Black@Gold Forever32]

But even though the Steelers defense let the Bengals back in the game they still made plays to win it in the end.....Harrison laying the smack down on 4th down to seal the victory.......

[aaronsmith91]

I blame a fair amount of this on the offence. They never seem to effectively take time off the clock in the 4th quarter. I mean Bill Cower football was get a lead, run the ball and kick a field goal here and there to keep the margin safe.

I mean the 4 minute drive they had when it was 27-20 was the first time I saw that in a while but they still missed the fg that would have sealed the deal

[DanRooney]

I blame a fair amount of this on the offence. They never seem to effectively take time off the clock in the 4th quarter. I mean Bill Cower football was get a lead, run the ball and kick a field goal here and there to keep the margin safe.

I mean the 4 minute drive they had when it was 27-20 was the first time I saw that in a while but they still missed the fg that would have sealed the deal

Blame weak-legged Guido Reed who can't kick 40 yard field goals anymore.

[Dean Denton]

Blame weak-legged Guido Reed who can't kick 40 yard field goals anymore.

Every time I read your post, I watch that Troy tackle about ten times. What a great play by him....love it.

[super cleats]

Wins 6 losses 2 !! That's the only stat that counts. If you have not figured out that the defense is meant to bend not break ya really need to start paying attention.Do I like the fact they give up alot of points late no but the bottom line is wins.

we could of easily been 4-4 from that dolphin and bengals game, it's dissapointing how we are doing the calls on defense.