Still Curtain
FanSided

How the Steelers can salvage the 2019 season

By Ryan Pawloski

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lays on the field in pain after getting hurt on a play against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lays on the field in pain after getting hurt on a play against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Steelers are 0-3 but could easily be a better club when it comes to their record. Mistakes have been made often and positions have not lived up to the hype.

Injuries have piled up and team chemistry is all out of whack. Not doing the little things is making this team an easy one to play on Sundays. Moving forward the Steelers will need to do these three things if they want a shot at a decent season.

Run Defense

The Steelers run defense has been an obvious issue for the team thus far. The run defense has been getting pushed back into the young season. Fixing this issue and shutting the run down would benefit this team greatly.

Forcing the quarterback to beat you is something essential and allowing the run makes the opposing offense dynamic. This defense has been extremely poor on getting off the field when it counts and finishing games, but this would be a start to help the club.

Making the opponents offense one dimensional is something the defense needs to do going forward. Ending the ground attack will open up the defense for other things and force more difficult second and third down situations.

Offensive Line Returns to Form

The offense has been poor even when Big Ben was suiting up for the team. This offensive line has not been living up to its potential at all this season. This offense goes as the o-line goes.

There is nothing for running backs to run through and pass protection is not any better. They need to step up to help out this young quarterback and begin developing a run game.

If you get the run game going then Mason Rudolph can start getting more comfortable under center. Creating a pocket for Rudolph will create time for him to make decisions downfield. This needs to be top priority going forward.

Make timely plays

This team can make turnovers but they can not make the timely plays to win football games. This past week showed that turnovers is something this team can do but they cannot capitalize.

Making big plays on the offensive side of the ball and creating long drives to kill clock is something the Steelers are starving for. Timely plays on offense and timely stops on defense need to happen immediately for good results to happen on game day.

Next. How the Steelers can still make the playoffs in 2019. dark

Making timely plays on offense and defense that make a difference in the game is the only way this team can stay above water going forward. The Steelers have a lot of work for this team to go anywhere. Creating a team identity and fixing these issues will help propel the team into contention for the rest of the season.

Home/Steelers News