Mike Tomlin Calls Steelers Performance ‘Sloppy’ in Colts Loss

INDIANAPOLIS — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin appreciated the fight and effort from his unit in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but overall he thought it was a sloppy performance, including coaching.

“I appreciate his fight, but he and we were a little bit sloppy at times. Too sloppy to secure victory,” Tomlin said after the game when asked about Justin Fields’ outing.

Fields finished with 312 yards passing and one touchdown with a 104.0 quarterback rating. He also rushed for 55 yards yards and two touchdowns.

Fields had his first boneheaded turnover of the season, a fumble in the second half after being sacked for a 20-yard loss. Fields proceeded by leading the Steelers to three consecutive touchdowns, but was unable to get at least a field goal on the final possession.

Fields could have put Chris Boswell in position to kick a field goal in the third quarter had he not suffered a 20-yard sack and fumble. A check down, throwaway or even a short sack would have allowed Chris Boswell to attempt a field goal. Indianapolis kicker Matt Gay missed the ensuing field goal, but the Fields blunder was one of several that cost the Steelers points.

A George Pickens’ fumble inside the five-yard line was another glaring mistake. A personal foul by Spencer Anderson for a late hit that pushed them out of field goal range was another one. Minkah Fitzpatrick took a 15-yard penalty for a late hit that led to a touchdown drive for Indy. Albeit, it was a questionable call on Fitzpatrick. In a three-point loss, those mistakes are crucial.

Tomlin is right. It was a sloppy performance on many levels. Coaching was not up to par, either. Tomlin said he did not call a timeout on the final possession because he wanted to keep it in his back pocket. The Steelers were facing a fourth-and-6 and had just one timeout left with the clock running due to Najee Harris failing to run out of bounds after a reception. The ball was snapped with 37 second and Fields’ pass intended for Van Jefferson fell incomplete, and that was the game.

Rookie center Zach Frazier had a bad snap to Fields on the possession, which lost the Steelers 12 yards. The fumble significantly effected the rhythm of the drive. It came at the worst time, too. It was just that kind of day for Pittsburgh.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Indianapolis.