RB Jaylen Warren Reveals Whether the Steelers Ignored the Cardinals
The widely held belief in Steel City that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 24-10 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals on December 3 was the result of their failure to recognize a weaker opponent has been refuted by a number of team officials. Jaylen Warren, a running back for the Steelers, disagreed.
As for the Week 13 loss, according to Steelers Now’s Nick Farabaugh, Warren told reporters, “I guess just taking them lightly — lighter than we should have.”
From then on, Warren’s responses were much more critical.
In response to a query regarding whether there was an issue with the team’s preparation, Warren answered, “Yeah, there could be.” “We overindulged in the highs.”
In Week 12, the Steelers outscored the Cincinnati Bengals 421-222, only seven days before the humiliating home loss against the Cardinals.
Mike Tomlin, T.J. Watt, and Mitch Trubisky of the Steelers swear that their team didn’t lose due to inadequate preparation.
When the team falls short against a lesser foe, Steelers supporters are quick to point fingers at head coach Mike Tomlin. “Typical Tomlin” was the term that Steeler Nation was talking about at halftime of their game versus the Cardinals on X (previously Twitter).
Warren’s remarks will be akin to adding gasoline to the fire.
However, Tomlin and the other Steelers executives contended that the team did not ignore the Cardinals.
Not at all. “We assess ourselves based on the caliber of our players, or the absence of them,” Tomlin stated at his news conference. “Today, it wasn’t present.”
Nor did Tomlin appear to hesitate when he offered criticism to his squad. He simply couldn’t identify a problem with the team’s concentration.
“It was a terrible day at work.” To be really honest with you, we didn’t do much well in that game,” Tomlin said to reporters. “Obviously, we have to take responsibility for that, and I have to lead the way first. merely losing the game of football. It was, in fact.
We suffered severe penalties, including botched snaps, operational penalties, and pre-snap penalties. It’s basically just JV football.
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky and defender T.J. Watt of the Steelers also have no complaints about the team’s concentration.
Watt told reporters, “I feel like the team’s ready every week.”
Trubisky responded, “I don’t think so,” when asked if the team treated the Cardinals lightly. “This is the National Football League.” If you don’t bring your best game, anyone can beat anybody—a lesson you learned today if you didn’t know it already.
“I thought the guys were locked in and focused the entire week.”
Steelers lose at home to the Cardinals despite Jaylen Warren’s sloppy play.
The Steelers had their poorest performance of the 2023 season in Week 13, whether it was due to a lack of concentration or poor execution.
Arizona had an advantage in turnover margin, red-zone scoring, and third-down efficiency even though the Steelers outgained the Cardinals, 317–282.
Pittsburgh also ran 77 yards and nine penalties. For the Steelers in a game, it was the second-highest number of fouls and penalty yards in the season.
Despite having 166 total yards in the first half, the Steelers managed just 3 points. On their final meaningful play of the half, they had a fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line, but they failed to convert.
The second quarter ended with a 99-yard touchdown drive by the Cardinals, who also converted five third-down attempts.
Any hopes of a Steelers comeback in the second half were dashed by a lost fumble and a missed field goal. The game’s lone turnover was followed by a touchdown for the Cardinals.
On each of its three red zone possessions, Arizona made it to the end zone.
Per rush, Warren averaged 6.6 yards. However, he only got nine attempts in the entire game because the Steelers were behind the entire second half.
Thursday Night Football presents the Steelers with a chance to demonstrate improved practice and game management in just four days when they take on the New England Patriots.
