4 biggest problems Steelers offense must fix before the playoffs

Lack of rushing attack

I don’t believe that a team needs to have a top rushing attack in order to be successful or even win the Super Bowl. However, it’s concerning how little the Steelers have been able to do on the ground in 2020. Pittsburgh now has just one 100-yard rushing performance as a team since Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, and there is no evidence to suggest this is going to magically improve anytime soon.

There is plenty of blame to pass around for the inefficiencies moving the chains on the ground this year. For starters, the offensive line hasn’t done what they’ve needed to do. While they have been solid in pass protection this year, the holes just have not consistently been there on the ground. Former All-Pro players like Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro seem to have taken a step back in this area in their 30s.

But they aren’t the only ones to blame. To be quite frank, the Steelers lack talent at the running back position. James Conner is understandably a fan favorite, but he lacks any special traits for a workhorse back, and he is only average at everything he does. Meanwhile, the backups both have holes in their game. Benny Snell may be powerful, but he really lacks speed and explosion, while Anthony McFarland hasn’t been able to break tackles as a rookie and he has missed some big holes.

This is a position that Pittsburgh could look to address in the offseason if things don’t improve soon. Pittsburgh doesn’t need to be great on the ground, but they need to be better than what they have been.