Steelers Legend Terry Bradshaw Calls Out Deep Passing as Pittsburgh's Fatal Weakness
Pittsburgh Steelers icon Terry Bradshaw has issued a stark warning about the team’s offensive struggles, identifying deep passing as a "fatal flaw" that threatens their 4-1 record. The Hall of Fame quarterback, who led the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s, expressed concern that this weakness could jeopardize their AFC North aspirations.
Bradshaw analyzed the Steelers' recent 23-9 triumph over the Cleveland Browns in Week 6, where Aaron Rodgers threw for 235 yards. “Aaron’s still got that magic at 41—his reads and precision are top-notch,” Bradshaw remarked. “But the deep ball? That’s the killer. We’re stuck at 7.8 yards per attempt, 26th in big plays with just 17 through six weeks. Back in my day, we aired it out to Stallworth and Swann. Now, it’s all short routes and dinks. Without stretching the field, you’re an open book for defenses like Cincinnati’s.”
Bradshaw’s critique aligns with Pittsburgh’s offensive trends. Rodgers has completed 70% of his passes for 1,200 yards and 8 TDs, but only 15% are 20+ yard throws, according to Next Gen Stats. DK Metcalf’s 80-yard TD in Week 4 stands out, yet Calvin Austin III’s shoulder injury and Roman Wilson’s limited impact (1 catch, 7 yards) have stifled vertical threats. The run game, averaging 78.7 yards per game (28th in NFL), pushes Rodgers toward conservative play, amplifying the problem.
A four-time Super Bowl MVP with 27,989 passing yards, Bradshaw knows winning requires balance. “We had a dominant line and stretched defenses with deep balls,” he added. “Pittsburgh’s got Metcalf and Austin when healthy, but Tomlin and Smith must let them fly. Otherwise, this offense stays good—not great.”
Steelers Nation on X agrees, with #DeepPassFix trending: “Terry’s spot on—Rodgers needs to air it out!” As the 4-1 Steelers gear up for Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Bradshaw’s insight serves as a clarion call. Will Pittsburgh address this fatal flaw to chase Super Bowl glory, or will it hinder their postseason run?
Bills' defense lets late opportunity slip through its hands in loss to Falcons
The Buffalo Bills dodged bullets all night. Almost all night, that is.
To stay in their Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons, the Bills stopped a fourth down in their Red Zone, blocked a field goal, and prevented a long touchdown just before halftime with a hustle play by Taylor Rapp that forced receiver Drake London out of bounds at the 1-yard line as time expired.
But down only seven points and desperate for a defensive stop in the fourth quarter, the Bills ran out of answers. And let a golden opportunity slipped through their hands in the 24-14 loss that drops them to 4-2.
A fatigued, injury-depleted Bills' defense couldn't get the Falcons off the field, allowing a 14-play drive that bled a precious five minutes off the clock and ended in a field that pushed the margin to 10. On the drive the Falcons only faced one crucial third down, and Jordan Phillips jumped offside to gift-wrap an easy first down.
The key play, however, came moments earlier when linebacker Shaq Thompson perfectly read a short crossing route and jumped it. Falcons' quarterback Michael Penix never saw him, and delivered a pass. With nothing but 75 yards of green grass and a tie game in front of him, Thompson let the ball sail between both of his hands.
Six plays later the Falcons kicked their game-clinching field goal. Ouch.
After an NFL-record streak of not losing the turnover battle, the Bills had two turnovers without getting a takeaway.
