Ron Cook: No simple explanation for loss, or is there?

On behalf of Steelers fans everywhere, not just in Pittsburgh but around the world, the question was posed to veteran defensive end Brett Keisel, probably the wisest head, not to mention grayest beard, in the locker room.

So how can the Steelers look so terrific in beating good teams such as the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens and look so awful in getting licked by a bad team such as the 1-8 New York Jets?

“It happens every week. It happens in college. It happens in the pros,” Keisel said. “It’s crazy. Sometimes, you play the game and things just don’t work out.”

That’s fine, but it really doesn’t answer the question. It doesn’t explain how the Jets, who had forced three turnovers all season, forced three by the Steelers in the first half and four for the game in their stunning or sickening — depending on your point of view — 20-13 win Sunday.

It doesn’t explain how Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, coming off the two greatest consecutive regular-season games in NFL history, can play a pedestrian game against a lousy pass defense and throw two interceptions.

It doesn’t explain how the Steelers, who averaged 41.3 points in a three-game winning streak against the Houston Texans, Colts and Ravens, couldn’t score a touchdown until 1:16 was left on an 80-yard pass to wide-open wide receiver Martavis Bryant.

It doesn’t explain how the Steelers defense, which forced seven turnovers in the winning streak, couldn’t force one against the Jets, who had committed 18 coming in...........

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