Steelers fans should not be comfortable yet after 2-0 start

The Steelers are off to a fast start, but fans should not be ‘lulled to sleep’ by it

It’s only two games into the 2020 NFL season, but our Steelers are 2-0.  In other words, our Steelers are undefeated.  As great as that sounds, I think the optimal word here is ‘sounds’.  We all know this to be true:  what sounds great may not actually be great.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact the Steelers are ‘2 up and zero down’ on the young season, but the season just started, so let’s just ‘chill’ a little bit and realize that although our record is perfect, the team is not (perfect).

Some of you may be reading this thinking that I am a naysayer; nothing can be further from the truth.  I have been a Steelers fan since 1978.  I have lived through the ‘good times’ and through the ‘bad times’.  Obviously, we are witnessing ‘good times’, but lets’ not get lulled into a false sense of security as a result.

The NFL is a ‘week to week’ league

I think we can all acknowledge that since no team plays the same opponent each week, the NFL is a ‘week to week’ league, meaning this:  you are only as good as your last game and can only be judged by your next game.  As it stands today, we are really good and hope to continue down that path.

The Steeler’s next opponent, the Houston Texans, presents a challenge in that they have a ‘dual-threat’ QB, one who requires extra attention.  What we have been calling on defense for the last two games may not work against the Texans.  Are we willing to commit a player to act as a ‘spy’, essentially taking him out of either the pass rush or the coverage equation?

We may have no choice but to implement that strategy, but how will that affect the rest of the defense?  I am no defensive coordinator, but if I want to contain a mobile QB, I have to place a ‘spy’ on him and adjust my calls accordingly.

The Steelers defense through two games has been an attacking defense, but we may need to play more coverage this week.  The question is this: are we capable of doing that? If you’re an objective fan, like I am, I think it’s fair to say that we have some players whose forte is not coverage.

In other words, we have players who are liabilities in coverage.  A good QB will exploit zone coverage and will carve us up.  Hopefully, that will not come to pass, but the possibility of that happening exists nonetheless. So, what do we do?

The offense has to play a ‘ball control’ style to win

Since every week presents a different challenge, there will be weeks where the Steelers will have to limit the exposure on defense by possessing the ball and capitalizing on each possession. I think, for the most part, we have done that through two games, but, again, every week is different.

Picture this:  it’s late in the fourth quarter, we are protecting a slim lead and all the Steelers need to secure victory is a sustained drive that drains the clock.  I think we have shown that we can play that style of ball, but the Steelers may need to pass the ball to secure victory as opposed to running the clock out.

As I said, it’s great that the Steelers are 2-0, undefeated through two games to put it another way, but we should not be ‘jumping for joy’ because of it.  I don’t know about you, but I am cautiously optimistic about the 2020 Steelers.  I think we are a good team that is on the path to be a great team.  Time will tell, I suppose.