5 ‘would you rather’ questions for Steelers fans in 2019

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 23: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 23: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Would you rather the Steelers have a good offense and bad defense, or a bad defense and a good offense in 2019?

This has always been a burning question around the NFL. Which is more important to the overall success of a team: offense or defense? I’m not sure the answer is really cut-and-dry.

We have been witnesses to some of the best defenses in the history of the league. I personally was not around during the Steel Curtain days of the 70’s, but I witnessed the brilliance of Dick LeBeau, Troy Polamalu, and the Steelers defense of the early 2000’s.

It was because of those defenses that led the Steelers to their 5th and 6th Super Bowl titles, and made them the most winning franchise in NFL history.

At the same time, a case can be made for offense. In recent years in a new NFL era, the passing offense is more important than ever. We saw a team like the Eagles (led by their backup, Nick Foles) put up 41 points on the Patriots to win Super Bowl LII. The Patriots did the same thing to the Falcons the year prior with a 34 point victory in the biggest game on turf.

If you look around the league today, there is a correlation between the highest powered offenses and the best NFL teams. The Saints, Patriots, Rams, and Chiefs all boasted top 8 NFL offenses last season, and were regarded as the best teams in the league.

What will it be? A good offense and a bad defense, or the other way around?