This article is part of our NFL Observations series.
I really should have parlayed the Bengals-Jets moneylines. What was I thinking? Honestly, I had set this line at Steelers minus 10.5, which should have put me on the Bengals, but I foolishly overrode it and laid the wood, thinking the Steelers, coming off two losses, would smash them. What's more the line movement confirmed I was right -- going all the way to 14 by Sunday, last I checked. In any event, the Steelers are on the ropes. Their defense is good, not elite, and their offense is just bad. I'd give even the Titans a better chance to do damage in the playoffs.
- Ben Roethlisberger was bad. He threw only one pick, but could have had three or four, none easier than the fourth quarter one dropped by William Jackson. His passes lacked zip, and his timing and decision-making were also off.
- Benny Snell (18-84-1) ran hard, but was stuffed on key third downs. He looks like just a guy to me.
- Diontae Johnson (13-8-59-1) had a decent game without egregious drops, but aside from the 23-yard TD, it was all dink and dunk again.
- Ryan Finley threw for only 89 yards, but ran for 47 (and a TD) and didn't turn it over. He managed the game just fine given the Steelers offensive woes. Having a mobile QB is a huge advantage on third and short too.
- Gio Bernard (25-83-1, 1-1-14-1) apparently learned his lesson after being benched for fumbling for the first time since 2013 last week.
