The Pittsburgh Steelers had a backup quarterback throwing to mostly backup wide receivers playing behind an inexperienced offensive line in a new offense. Things did not go entirely well for them on the day, though it’s hardly surprising when you look at it in those terms. That’s no excuse, however, for the performance.
The team lost veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster fairly early in the season, going down with a shoulder injury as he tried to run through contact with a safety. That put him on the Reserve/Injured List and possibly assured that he played his last game in the black and gold.