“Pittsburgh Steelers finally fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada.”
Christmas comes early for Pittsburgh fans. The low-scoring Steelers ended up firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada after Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Fans are worried that the Steelers will be left with an incompetent Canadian team for the rest of this season and possibly next season.
The Steelers' front office is often considered overly loyal, and the organization is known for never firing a coach during a season. This year, however, fans have been chanting "Canadian Fire!" since the first home game of the season at Heinz Field. The outrage was so great that fans at a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game chanted "Fire Canada!" during home games at PPG Paints Arena.
The situation became so dire that the Steelers went against their own tradition and fired the Canadiens.
"Matt Canada has been relieved of his duties as offensive coordinator," head coach Mike Tomlin said in an official statement. "I thank Matt for his hard work and dedication and wish him the best in his future career." All the best in your career.”
The Steelers are 6-4 on the season and in second place in the AFC North behind the Baltimore Ravens (7-3). If the season ended today, the Steelers would have the final AFC wild card. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills are on the playoff bubble, with a record since firing Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey after a disastrous loss on Monday Night Football in Week 10. 1-0.
Blame it on Canada: Steelers offense struggles
The Steelers average 16.6 points per game, ranking 28th in the NFL. They rank 31st in passing touchdowns this season and 29th in total touchdowns.
The Steelers have scored more than 21 points just four times this season. They have scored no more than 10 points in four games.
The Steelers' tepid passing attack is allowing 170 yards per game, second-most in the NFL. In 10 games this season, quarterback Kenny Pickett has just six touchdown passes. Pickett has just one touchdown in his last five games.
Canada takes over as offensive coordinator in 2021. The Steelers averaged 22 points per game their first season in Canuck, but their offense has been lackluster and uninspired, worsening each season since. Their offensive efficiency dropped to 18.1 points per game last season, ranking sixth in the NFL.
The Steelers were able to win because of their tough defense that played almost every game. Seven games this season have been decided by one point. The Steelers have been beaten in every game this season. They have a negative point differential of -29 but miraculously have a winning record.
Tomlin remained loyal to Canada throughout the first half of the season. He tried to solve the problem by moving Canada from the sky box to the sidelines in Week 9 to get closer to the game. The Steelers won their next two games, but averaged just 21.5 points against losing teams (Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers).
An interim offensive coordinator has not yet been named. Candidates also include quarterbacks coach Myle Sullivan and running backs coach Eddie Faulkner.
BETTING ON THE STEELERS' FUTURE
The Steelers will travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals in another divisional matchup in Week 12.The Bengals recently lost quarterback Joe Burrow to a wrist injury. The Steelers used a backup quarterback for the second consecutive time and third time in the past four games.
The Titans started rookie Will Levis in Week 9 against the Steelers after Ryan Tannehill injured his ankle. The defense held Levis to 16 points in the win. Last week, Dorian Thompson-Robinson started for the Browns after Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Although the Browns were held to 13 points, the Steelers offense managed just 10 points on the last-second loss.
The Bengals host the Steelers on Sunday. The Steelers are 6-4 against the spread on the season, while the Bengals are 4-5-1 ATS.
Canada's layoffs haven't moved futures markets. The Steelers still have +7,500 odds to win the Super Bowl and +3,500 odds to win the AFC Championship.
The Ravens are the consensus favorite to win the AFC North at -225, followed by the Browns (+275), Steelers (+550) and Bengals (+10000).
According to the latest playoff projections from Upshot, the Steelers have a 69% chance of making the playoffs. They also have a 15% chance of winning the division and a 2% chance of winning the Super Bowl.
The Steelers have a -135 chance of making the playoffs and a +110 chance of missing the playoffs.
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