Pittsburgh Steelers: 6 musts for making Super Bowl XLIII – Part I
Six things lie between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Lombardi number seven.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must have six factors on their side to play in Super Bowl 53: Keeping Big Ben upright; Stopping the run; Boswell’s performance; Staying healthy; Getting lucky; and Better team chemistry. The first three “must haves” will be discussed here in Part I. The remaining factors will be discussed in the next article (Part II).
Keeping Big Ben upright
As Ben Roethlisberger goes, so go the Steelers. It’s imperative to limit the number of punishing hits Ben takes. To do so, four things must occur:
- Alejandro Villanueva must reduce the number of sacks allowed (led team with 6 last year).
- Chris Hubbard’s replacement(s) must permit no more than four sacks combined.
- OL Matt Feiler, Parker Collins and rookie Chukwuma Okorafor must provide solid backup performances to match B.J Finney. Especially, since Jerald Hawkins is already lost for the season
- Ben must release the ball quicker, run only when necessary and finish runs by sliding feet first.
Stopping the run
The Pittsburgh Steelers will not be successful this season if they can’t stop the run. According to foxsports.com, opponents averaged 385 ypg, at a 4.4 clip. To illustrate how inflated those numbers are, Le’Veon Bell only averaged 86 ypg and 3.8 yards per carry last season.
After LB Ryan Shazier’s injury, the Steelers run defense was never the same. His speed and quickness couldn’t be replaced. The team suffered another blow, when Shazier’s backup, Tyler Matakevich, injured his shoulder and missed most of the remainder of the season. Resulting in the Steelers losing both defensive signal callers in the same game.
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The Steelers run defense never recovered from the LBs’ injuries. In fact, it became steadily worse. Culminating in the playoff beat down by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Steelers addressed this issue in the offseason, by hiring DL Coach Karl Dunbar and drafting three run stoppers. Coach Dunbar brings a mental toughness the team so desperately needs. The Steelers defense hasn’t imposed its will on anyone in quite some time.
Drafting Joshua Frasier was critical. He is capable of occupying space (and blockers) along the DL. He should force himself into the rotation and, by the regular season opener be backing up Javon Hargrave and Cam Heyward.
Rookie safeties Terrell Edmunds and Marcus Allen have star potential. Both attack the line of scrimmage. Both tackle well. Both may play some LB this season. Anyway you slice it, both should improve the Steelers’ run defense.
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One thing is for sure, DC Kevin Butler, better find the correct positions (and situations) for these rookies and FAs to play. The opponent’s rushing attacks must be contained, or it will be a long and disappointing season for the Steelers.
Chris Boswell’s Performance
PK Chris Boswell must continue his strong performance for the Pittsburgh Steelers to make the Super Bowl.
Last season Boswell made 35 of 38 FGs. Going 4-4 over 50 yards. He made two game-winning FGs, including one in the playoffs against those despised Cincinnati Bengals. Chris Boswell must continue his stellar play if the Steelers plan to win another Lombardi Trophy.
Prediction: Boswell will need to kick game-winning FGs against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders and/or New England Patriots.
There you have it. Part I is concluded. If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to play in the 2019 Super Bowl they must keep Ben Roethlisberger healthy, stop opposing rushing attacks and, have PK Chris Boswell win at least two games.
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However, to really enhance their chances of playing in the Big Game, the Pittsburgh Steelers need to meet 3 additional factors (Part II). Stay tuned!