5 crucial questions the Steelers must answer against Packers

Can a Steelers receiver take a step forward?

The Steelers passing game as a whole has taken on a form similar to that of last season. While there have been some closer long pass attempts, for the most part this team has been reliant on the short and quick passing game. As a result, the receivers, while extremely talented, have had slower starts to the year.

As of now, the leading receiver on the team is actually Najee Harris after his 14-reception game last week. Behind him, Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and JuJu Smith-Schuster all have 15, 14, and 13 receptions respectively, with Claypool leading the way in yardage at 211. While these numbers aren’t horrific for so early in the season, no receiver has stepped up to be a difference-maker as of yet.

With the Steelers’ offense floundering, this week would be a good one for a receiver to show up as a difference-maker. Outside of Jaire Alexander, this Packers secondary can be exploited, so getting a proper mismatch could be key in discovering which receiver is going to lead the pack. Each of the Steelers’ top three can lay a legitimate stake at this, and no matter who steps forward as the top target each will still have a role, but one of the team’s top guys has to take a step forward as the top receiver.