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SPORTS Wednesday 9 december 2020
First loss leaves Steelers with plenty to work on

By WILL GRAVES Both had issues with the
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The drops for a second straight
number in the loss column game, mostly because
is at "one." The number of they have developed a
issues the Pittsburgh Steel- habit of turning their eyes
ers are facing after their downfield before securing
first setback of the season is the catch instead of see-
considerably higher. ing the ball all the way into
The shortcomings masked their hands. They're hardly
by timely turnovers and just alone. The Steelers lead the
enough offensive splash NFL in drops with 34 and
during Pittsburgh's 11-0 start Tomlin hinted at changes
were on full display during in terms of playing time if
a stunning 23-17 upset at things don't improve.
the hands of Washington INJURIES
on Monday night. Cornerback Steven Nelson
The offensive line, missing will attempt to practice on
center Maurkice Pouncey Wednesday and could be
for a second straight game available for Buffalo. The
because of COVID-19 pro- same holds true for kicker
tocols, was pushed around Chris Boswell, who sat out
by Washington's younger, with a hip injury. The nature
more athletic front. The run- of inside linebacker Robert
ning game, minus James Spillane's injury is uncertain,
Conner, who like Pouncey Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) stands on the sideline during the final min- but his potential absence
sat out due to COVID-19, ute of the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team in Pittsburgh, opens the door for Avery
generated a whopping Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. Williamson, acquired in a
1.67 yards per carry and Associated Press trade with the New York
went 0-fer in three shots Jets earlier this season.
from the Washington 1 in we've got to be the type of Dupree. The other half of ling case for more playing KEY NUMBER
the second quarter before group that endures regard- one of the league's best time. A week after his leap- 69. The Steelers tied Tampa
being abandoned almost less of who is available," he pass-rushing duos is out for ing grab in triple coverage Bay's NFL record for con-
completely. said. the season after tearing the helped Pittsburgh escape secutive games with at
Facing fourth-and-1 at the Tomlin is optimistic both ACL in his right knee. against Baltimore, Wash- least one sack when Watt
Washington 25 with the Pouncey and Conner will Not that it mattered much ington turned a hitch route took down Alex Smith in
game tied in the fourth be available next Sunday against Washington. Watt into a 50-yard touchdown. the first quarter. Still, Du-
quarter, Pittsburgh es- against Buffalo (9-3). Yet was his typically disruptive With several of his team- pree's absence was felt
chewed a run and instead they will need more than self, though he did miss a mates (more on that in a late as Pittsburgh's pressure
had quarterback Ben Ro- just having their familiar golden opportunity in the minute) struggling to hold lagged, allowing Smith to
ethlisberger send an ill-fat- numbers in the lineup to fourth quarter when he onto the ball, Washing- make big plays down the
ed lob down the sideline to get things right. There's a tried to "scoop and score" ton's role could continue to field during Washington's
rookie running back Antho- mindset associated with on a Washington fumble grow. rally.
ny McFarland Jr. that fell in- running the ball and in that rather than just fall on it. STOCK DOWN NEXT STEPS
complete. area, the Steelers have Washington's Logan Thom- Tight end Eric Ebron and Try to clinch a playoff berth
"I live by a coaching creed been lacking. as recovered instead. wide receiver Diontae for the first time since 2017
'If you can't get a yard, you "In terms of quality of play, WHAT'S NOT Johnson both have game- next week against Buffalo,
don't deserve to win' and we haven't been physical Pittsburgh is struggling breaking ability. To break where the injury-riddled
that was the case for us enough," Tomlin said. when it tries to get tough the games though, they secondary will have to be
in this game," coach Mike Fixing it can be tricky. Prac- in short yardage. Against actually need the ball in considerably sharper than
Tomlin said Tuesday. ticing in full pads is almost Washington, it didn't get their hands. That hasn't it was in the second half
It's been that way late- non-existent even during any better when it tried to been automatic recently. against Washington.q
ly. Pittsburgh's 21 yards a "normal" December, let get cute. Facing third-and-
rushing marked the fran- alone one in the middle of goal at the Washington 1 in
chise's third-lowest total a pandemic. Tomlin point- the second quarter, Roeth- Freeman, Abreu win Hank
since 1970. While Tomlin ed out the Steelers spent lisberger tried a play-action
has stressed repeatedly as much if not more time in pass to Jerald Hawkins. Aaron Awards for offense
the Steelers don't need to pads than most clubs dur- Two things here. Actually,
grind it out to win — not ing training camp. three. First, Hawkins only NEW YORK (AP) — First basemen Freddie Freeman
with Roethlisberger having "We carry our pads every became eligible just hours of the Atlanta Braves and José Abreu of the Chica-
a remarkable comeback day through the team de- before kickoff after being go White Sox have won Hank Aaron Awards as the
season after missing most velopment process," he activated off the reserve/ outstanding offensive performers in each league as
of 2019 with a right elbow pointed out. COVID-19 list. Second, voted by MLB.com.
injury — the inability to pro- Time to hope muscle mem- Hawkins is a backup of- Freeman, 31, was second in the NL in batting .341,
duce any sort of consistent ory returns quickly. fensive lineman by trade. OBP (.462), slugging percentage (.640) and OPS
offensive balance has tak- WHAT'S WORKING Third, that's exactly what (1.102).
en its toll. Technically, it's more like he looked like when he The 33-year-old Abreu hit .317 with 15 doubles, 19
And while Tomlin is aware "Watt's working." stumbled into his route and homers and 60 RBIs during 60 games in the pandem-
of how short-handed his Outside linebacker T.J. Watt watched Roethlisberger's ic-shortened season.
offense is without two of its picked up his NFL-leading lob sail well out of reach. Abreu was voted AL MVP and Freeman won NL
key cogs, he also doesn't 12th sack against Washing- STOCK UP MVP.q
care. ton despite playing without James Washington is con-
"That (ticks) me off because usual running mate Bud tinuing to make a compel-