By R.L. Bynum
While there is growing frustration among Pittsburgh Steelers fans with the team’s offense under the direction of Mitch Trubisky after a second consecutive defeat, Coach Mike Tomlin is sticking with the former UNC quarterback.
Trubisky didn’t throw a touchdown pass for the first time in three games, and the Pittsburgh Steelers lost at Cleveland 29–17 Thursday night. Otherwise, though, Trubisky had his best statistical game as a Steeler with season-highs of an 81.1 passer rating and 207 passing yards. He completed 20 of 32 passes with no interceptions and ran 1 yard for a second-quarter touchdown.
Tomlin was asked after the game if he planned to bench Trubisky.
“I’m not in that mindset,” Tomlin said. “I’m interested in reviewing his tape and looking at the totality of it and figuring out how we collectively get better. The answer to that question is definitively no.”
Trubisky made some plays with some good decision-making and mobility, but they weren’t enough. The Steelers converted only one of nine third-down opportunities.
“We’re getting there, just not where it needs to be,” Trubisky said after the game. “We didn’t hit on the plays we needed to in the second half. Scoring three points in the second half isn’t going to do it for us.”
Trubisky said that the offense just wasn’t in a good rhythm.
“I think we just missed on some plays that we could have gone either way, especially in the second half,” Trubisky said. “Communication is crucial, especially on the sidelines. These next few days, we need to communicate on how we can get better.
“Everyone just needs to be brutally honest with themselves and I think everyone can be a lot better, myself included,” he said. “We just have to look at that and see where we can improve. We need to stick together. It is only going to get better if we stick together, communicate and talk about our problems. Everyone needs to be willing to fix it.”
Pittsburgh returns home on Sunday, Oct. 2, to face Michael Carter and the New York Jets.
Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
29–17 Thursday loss at Cleveland — Started; 20 of 32, 207 yards (36 longest), 0 TD, 0 INT, 1 sack; 2 rushes, 7 yards, 1 TD; 81.1 passer rating, 14.98 fantasy points; played all 59 offensive snaps
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts; 62 of 103, 569 yards, (5.5 average, 36 longest), 2 TDs, 1 INT, 5 sacks; 6 rushes, 23 yards; 77.7 passer rating
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, vs. New York Jets, CBS
tarheeltribune.com 
Funny how mitch gets blamed for everything. I watched the new England game where the defensive back near the end of the first half could have easily knocked down a pass near the goal line but tried to catch it and the new England receiver reached over stole the ball and scored right before halftime. Otherwise Pittsburgh would have led. Then the punt returner dropped the ball inside Pittsburgh 20 and new England scored again. Mitch almost overcame those free 14 points but lost. He didn’t lose the game, the defense & special teams did. Fact. Get real Pittsburgh fans.
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