Mark Madden: Steelers create illusion with old-fashioned victory behind defense, running game

The Pittsburgh Steelers won the old-fashioned Steelers way on Sunday.

They rushed for 156 yards. They possessed the ball 36 minutes. They had a 21-play drive that took 12 minutes and ended with a touchdown. They played solid defense, especially in the red zone. They were 12 for 16 on third down.

That mostly won’t win against good teams. But it worked fine vs. Carolina.

The victory fed the Steelers’ (and your) illusion that their preferred way can still prosper. Their 6-8 record makes them (and you) think they’re better than they are.

But the NFL just isn’t that kind of league. You need to strike quickly, not by taking 12 minutes.

Since we’re dealing with illusions, let’s state the obvious: Mitch Trubisky is the Steelers’ best quarterback. He has provided the Steelers their best QB play this year.

That doesn’t mean that drafting Kenny Pickett was wrong or that playing him is wrong (though coach Mike Tomlin turned to Pickett too early).

But Trubisky moves the ball better. His stats are slightly better, and he passes the eye test.

When Trubisky is made to play conservatively, as occurred Sunday, he doesn’t play scared. That can’t always be said of Pickett. Trubisky makes more plays within the context of the game plan’s limitations.

But primarily, Sunday was another false dawn on the way to finishing middle, drafting middle and staying middle. “We’re taking Peezy’s kid.”

It was also another benchmark in the Steelers’ flawed culture. During the Steelers’ 21-play drive, Diontae Johnson punctuated catching an 8-yard pass to convert a third-and-6 by getting in an opponent’s face. Johnson was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, so the Steelers had to gain those 15 yards again.

A bit later, Marcus Allen barged into Carolina’s huddle and caused a ruckus. He, too, got flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. It was fourth-and-27, but that penalty gave Carolina a first down. The Panthers ended up getting a field goal they wouldn’t have.

Those penalties are inexcusable. Allen’s a scrub. He should be cut. He won’t be. But a marginal player like Allen can’t have such profoundly negative impact.

Heck, Johnson went right back on the field.

The actions of Johnson and especially Allen are inexcusable. But Tomlin accepts them. So do the team’s leaders. Nobody cares.

That’s not how winning teams conduct business.

It’s not the main reason the Steelers aren’t a winning team. It ranks below lack of talent, poor coaching, etc. But it’s a reason.

Tomlin will spew some empty platitude to excuse what Johnson and Allen did. “We prefer to look through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror, blah, blah, blah.” That’s assuming the media bothers to ask. (After the game, Tomlin said he didn’t see what caused Allen’s penalty. Why is the head coach not paying attention?)

As for quarterback, the Steelers should go back to Pickett on Saturday night when they host Las Vegas. That decision long since has been made.

But the Steelers also should keep Trubisky next year.

Trubisky, 29, is signed for next year with a cap hit of $10.6 million. Pickett’s cap hit is $3.2 million. The Steelers wouldn’t be overly invested at the quarterback position.

Trubisky is a solid backup. He might have bad feelings about promises broken this season and how he was used. So what? Football is a business. Whoever the Steelers sign to replace Trubisky won’t be better. There’s no guarantee Trubisky gets a better job.