The Steelers will try to rebound from two consecutive losses with the most recent being a pivotal divisional game against the Bengals when they host the Oakland Raiders this Sunday. While they prepare to dig themselves out of a hole we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Tuesday, Nov. 3rd.
Ready to fill in again
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While the news of
Le’Veon Bell‘s season-ending knee injury hurts Steelers fans because of how fun he is to watch, how great he got himself back into shape after his last injury and how well the offense does when he’s on the field there isn’t the same level of worry as there was for the Wild Card game in January.
That’s thanks to DeAngelo Williams. Mike Prisuta explains that Williams is ready and able to fill Bell’s shoes again.
"“We’ve been here before. I know why they brought me here and I’m going to play my role. My main goal and my main focus is when No. 26 is not in there and I’m in there it doesn’t take any pressure off the defense.” – DeAngelo Williams"
Williams may be selling himself a little short there. While teams don’t necessarily have to game-plan on defending Williams like they do against Bell, he certainly has proven himself able to get in there and get yards, which is what any offense needs. He’s averaging 4.9 yards per carry and has 310 yards on the ground so far this season.
They were aiming to take somebody out
Steelers guard Ramon Foster doesn’t think Bengals linebacker Vontez Burfict’s tackle of Le’Veon Bell that caused his season-ending knee injury was an accident. According to the Trib Live Foster and fellow offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert were upset with Burfict’s celebration after his hit on Bell.
"“I am sure they were aiming to take somebody out today and kudos to them, they did the job.” – Ramon Foster"
Where’s the offense we thought we were gonna see?
After the Steelers’ first offensive possession on Sunday when they had marched down the field 80 yards to score in Ben Roethlisberger’s first game back from suffering a knee injury in Week 3 I’m sure I was with most Steelers fans in thinking, “Alright, let’s do this!” After that point, the Steelers couldn’t convert a third down let alone get back into the red zone.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes how the Steelers’ defense is outperforming expectations under first-year defensive coordinator Keith Butler while the Steelers’ offense was billed this preseason to be a sight to behold and hasn’t been able to live up to the hype.
Next: Steelers grades in loss to Bengals
Granted, a lot of that has to do with the franchise quarterback on the sideline for four games, the star running back suspended for two games and one of the top wide receivers out for four games himself. With a potential AFC playoff spot slipping out of their grasp the Steelers offense needs to right the ship ASAP in the second half of the season.