Don't think we need to go over the running back fumbles since those are obvious — by the way, NextGenStats said the Steelers gained a combined 75.7 percentage points in win probability points on the five turnovers — but we will go over Drake Maye's turnovers in Sunday's disappointing 21-14 Patriots' loss to the Steelers. Highlighted plays/sequences with video analysis:
• Blown assignments on Steelers' first touchdown
• Marte Mapu and Jonnu Smith's 21-yard catch on 3rd and 10 to set up the second touchdown
• Missed Maye opportunities before halftime
• Maye's unnecessary fumble
• Confusing playcall/execution on final Steelers' touchdown
On with the show:
1-1-NE 1 (8:29) K.Gainwell left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
I think we're starting to see opponents target rookie safety Craig Woodson with increasing regularity.
On this play, Woodson is manning up Jonnu Smith, but when he goes in motion, Woodson switches with Jaylinn Hawkins, who now has Smith. At that point, Woodson either has the back in man coverage, or he's the free safety and he has backside responsibilities on both sides. Obviously K'Lavon Chaisson should have read this better and not gotten sucked into the line movement away to provide some backside contain. But Woodson gets out of position right before the snap (which has happened a lot in the past two games) and can't get there to make a play on the ball. He should have been able to do that.
3-10-PIT 49 (1:33) (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass short middle to J.Smith to NE 30 for 21 yards (J.Hawkins).
I'm not sure Marte Mapu had a chance to stop this play because Aaron Rodgers read the Patriots like a book, and he and Smith executed to perfection, but what Mapu did before the snap absolutely infuriates me (and it's not Mapu, it's players in general, this happens a lot).
He fakes the blitz very hard — I've heard some coaches call this, "The Too Cool For School" play — and that costs him in coverage. He never really gets in the right position to defend the Smith's route, and it costs them on a 3rd and 10 play.
Mapu hasn't played enough football, nor is he good enough to attempt a fake like this. And, quite frankly, this defense isn't nearly good enough to pull something like this off against a QB like Rodgers, who kills the blitz.
You want to hang around the box to make them account for you — to the point they aren't sure if Mapu or Robert Spillane is blitzing — that's fine, and the aim of this. But Mapu should not be walking up all the way into the line. Too cool for school.
1-2-PIT 2 (:22) D.Maye pass incomplete short right [N.Herbig].
2-2-PIT 2 (:16) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass incomplete short right to H.Henry [N.Herbig].
3-2-PIT 2 (:12) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short left intended for K.Boutte INTERCEPTED by B.Echols (Ca.Heyward) at PIT -7. Touchback.
Ok, here we go, especially for the run the ball crowd (probably should have on second down, but like Mike Vrabel said, they had some big boys in there).
On first down, Maye has Austin Hooper open for a touchdown. Has to be thrown. Period. Even if it's incomplete. Instead, Maye takes a huge shot, bangs his head on the turf and was likely concussed.
The 49ers ran this same concept on Sunday and, guess what, Mac Jones threw a touchdown to Kyle Juszczyk on it. It's not apples to apples — the 49ers got man coverage, the Steelers ran zone, and no one covered Juszczyk — but the play was there, Jones had more immediate pressure but he threw the ball and took a shot. Maye has to throw that ball.
On the second down play, Hunter Henry was likely held, but Maye didn't have much. Would have been nice if he could have quickly gone 1 (Henry) to 2 (Mack Hollins) to 3 (Kayshon Boutte) and put it on him for a possible touchdown, but Will Campbell whiffing on an inside move by Nate Herbig likely would have meant Maye would have gotten killed if he did that.
On third down, the play is there, Maye just makes a terrible throw. It should have been lofted toward the back pylon for an easy touchdown.
Three pass plays, two open receivers missed by the QB.
1-10-PIT 33 (7:48) (Shotgun) D.Maye sacked at PIT 39 for -6 yards (N.Herbig). FUMBLES (N.Herbig) [N.Herbig], touched at PIT 37, RECOVERED by PITT.Watt at PIT 38. T.Watt to PIT 38 for no gain (M.Onwenu).
This is pretty simple. Very quickly, it's apparent Maye doesn't have anything as the Steelers have everything covered. It's first and 10 at the Pittsburgh 33. Maye has to turf this ball or throw it away.
3-6-NE 17 (2:20) (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass deep left to C.Austin for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Marcus Jones gets no jam on Calvin Austin and is just beaten. But I have no clue what Woodson is doing on this play. The Patriots show 2-man, which would mean Woodson could help Jones a little bit (was he expecting some help over the top?). But post snap, it appears the Patriots go to Cover 1-Lurk (or robber) and Woodson is the robber. But he doesn't do anything, he's not going to double anyone. I don't get this call or the execution ... probably both.
By the way, this was 3rd and 6.