Film Room: Why Steelers Offense Failed on ‘Weighty Downs’ (+)

It was an abysmal week one performance for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they fell 30-7 to the San Francisco 49ers. It was certainly not the way that anyone associated with the team desired or even envisioned this game unfolding, no matter how talented the opponent was across from them. Head coach Mike Tomlin credited the opposing team for executing their game plan while acknowledging the obvious regarding his own unit’s struggles.

“We didn’t win enough possession downs to be competitive,” Tomlin said. “You can’t start games 0-5 on third down and think that you’re going to have the type of day that you desire. You have to win the weighty downs.”

It’s hard to not agree with his sentiments. Pittsburgh’s offense came out flat looking completely outmatched from the opening snap, which was disturbing, to say the least, given the team’s struggles on that side of the ball throughout the majority of offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s reign. So what happened on those weighty downs that Tomlin mentioned as a primary reason for defeat?