Even at 2-10, the Patriots Broke the Steelers Into a Million Pieces and Scattered Them Into the Wind

Archie Carpenter. Shutterstock Images.

As good as I and pretty much every Patriots fan except the ones who are totally invested in the idea of tanking is concerned, last night's win in Pittsburgh was a pure good. Like I said in the Knee Jerk Reactions this morning, it felt like old times. 

Still, I'm under no delusion about the state of the Patriots. I didn't invest all my heart and soul (and 1,500 words) writing a guide to help people transition into a post-Dynasty life:

… without comprehending the larger picture here. 

But there's a thing about the truly great world empires that set them apart from the merely average, regional powers. And that is long after they've achieved their peak and started to decline, they're still able to instill respect and fear in their opponents. The sack of Rome was in 410. But you wouldn't have known it was gone of you were a subject of Charlemagne in the Holy Roman Empire 400 years later. The Vikings were still striking terror in hearts all across Europe long after they'd settled in and were making little Irish babies. England decolonized a century ago, but fuck with the Royal Navy or the RAF at your peril. 

Similiarly, the Patriots are still causing fear and loathing, even in their current lowly state. Don't take my word for it. Check out the reaction among the Pittsburgh media, Steelers fans, Steelers players, and the national football intelligentsia. Last night's loss made Mike Tomlin 3-7 in his career against New England. And people who care about his team are shook to the core:

Source - “Worst 2 game stretch of the Mike Tomlin era. Team gagged away a playoff spot,” Andrew Fillipponi, co-host of “The PM Show: wrote on X. “Just out of curiosity, how does a pro-(Mike) Tomlin Steelers fan defend him right now?” …

Have a conversation,” he wrote. “Ask Tomlin what he wants to do. Tell him he’s not getting a contract extension. Let him interview with other teams. Then trade him there. Start over.” …

“This is when Mike Tomlin’s finest work is gonna happen? Eat my soiled shorts. Finest work?” Dorin Dickerson, former NFL tight end and co-host of “The Fan Morning Show” said to open Friday’s broadcast. “The question is this… is it time to say goodbye, whether it’s firing or trading, Mike Tomlin?”

Dickerson noted that a hallmark of Tomlin’s Pittsburgh tenure is his team’s ability to bounce back following a loss.

“This time, he didn’t and not only did he not, you’re sitting there down 21-3 midway through the second quarter against a team that had scored 13 points in the last three games,” Dickerson said. “You got embarrassed in back-to-back weeks. That tells me his guys that used to buy in, he’s lost that now. And so what else is there? That was a must-win game against the dregs of the NFL society. He’s lost, in my opinion, this team, so he’s gots to go.”

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Heavy - Defensive end Cameron Heyward has served as a defensive captain for the Pittsburgh Steelers for nine straight seasons [and his] overall message to his teammates was rather clear — either learn from the mistakes and start playing better or find a new profession.

“When you lose, people keep trying to do the same thing,” Heyward told reporters. “Either we learn from our mistakes, or they’re going to continue to keep biting us in the butt. …

“Either guys learn, or you’ve gotta change who’s in there, myself included. If I can’t execute, then you’ve gotta take me out."

Wow. All I can say is wow. When you win the time of possession, tie in the turnover battle, commit just one penalty to your opponent's seven, and still manage to lose at home to a 2-10 team, to say there are repercussions is putting it mildly. There is hell to pay. Even when your coach has 170 career wins and a Super Bowl. Even if not many teams are losing to New England this year, it still has a profound affect on an organization. And if most of the Pittsburgh media and Steelers fans get their wish, Tomlin's name will be added to the incalculably long list of souls Belichick has harvested over his career. 

Seeing this reaction I know how Holly McLane felt when she saw one of Hans Gruber's men in a fit of rage and she knew her husband was still alive and well somewhere in Nakatomi Plaza. Because only he and Belichick are able to drive someone that crazy. It's good to see the 71 year old GOAT still has it in him to destroy a franchise and make it blow itself up. For the second time today I find myself saying maybe everybody needs to rethink the whole replacing him thing. 

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As far as Tomlin and the Steelers, if this really is it, thanks for the memories. It's been fun while it lasted.