3 reasons we should not overrate the Steelers based on what we’ve seen
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a chance to start the season 4-0 for the first time in 40 years, but here’s why we shouldn’t overrate this team.
The Steelers have a chance to do something special this weekend. With a win over the Philadelphia Eagles, they could witness a 4-0 start for the first time since 1979 – a season where Pittsburgh would eventually go on to win the Super Bowl.
There have been a lot of positives to note from Mike Tomlin’s team this year. Despite a history of slow starts before hitting their mid-season stride, the Steelers have won each of their first three games of 2020 ( a complete 180 from the 0-3 start they experienced just one year ago).
Pittsburgh’s defense is firing on all cylinders as they are currently 2nd in the NFL in yards allowed per game (290.0), 3rd in yards per play, 1st in rushing yards allowed per game (54.0), and 1st in sack percentage. T.J. Watt is a legitimate candidate for Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, and this team is somehow outperforming the lofty expectations they had coming into the season.
In addition to this, Ben Roethlisberger has done a good job of protecting the ball on offense and his skill players have stepped up to the plate. JuJu Smith-Schuster is on pace for a remarkable bounce-back year after disappointing in 2019, while Chase Claypool could prove to be a major threat to opposing defenses down the line.
But despite their 3-0 start, it’s important to understand the context that comes with it. Steelers fans have a right to be pleased with the way things have turned out so far, but let’s not place Pittsburgh on a pedestal just yet. Here are three reasons why we shouldn’t overrate the Steelers based on what we’ve seen so far in 2020: