Ziggy Hood: ‘We Let Our Offense Down’

Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Disgust and remorse seem to be the feelings which reign supreme among many of Pittsburgh’s defensive players after their bed-crapping last Sunday in Foxborough. I cannot say that I blame them for their remorse, especially since they allowed single-game team-records for total yards (610) and points (55) against the Patriots.

In a recent article by Teresa Varley of Steelers.com, defensive end Ziggy Hood had the following to say about how Pittsburgh’s defense performed against New England during their most recent loss:

"We let our offense down, … They put up big numbers in the game and we didn’t do our job as a defense and help those guys out on the other side. When you don’t fit well, or take your keys right or tackle well, you see what happens in a game like this. … We let this game get out of hand and it was too late by the time the bell went off."

I can understand Hood’s frustration, and I completely agree that the Steelers’ defense let their offense down on Sunday evening. After they allowed 24 points in the first half, Pittsburgh’s offense crawled back to tie the game at 24-24 in the middle of the third quarter.

Unfortunately, New England’s offense ravaged Pittsburgh’s defense for 31 more points as many of their players achieved single-game career-highs against the Steelers. In what was probably their most productive outing of the season, 31 points was not enough for the Steelers to win the game.

Heck, the Steelers were still 24 points of tying the game when it mercifully ended!

While Hood and his teammates might admit that they “let their offense down,” those words and the overall sentiment will mean nothing unless they can regroup as a unit and actually improve during the final eight games of the regular season.

I would say that things cannot get any worse for Pittsburgh’s defense, but C.J. Spiller or Fred Jackson could be primed to set single-game career-highs for rushing yards next weekend at Heinz Field.

Stats & Contract Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com , Spotrac, and Pro Football Reference

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