4 burning questions the Steelers must answer vs. the Broncos

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by Bradley Chubb #55 and Kareem Jackson #22 of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Heinz Field on September 20, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by Bradley Chubb #55 and Kareem Jackson #22 of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Heinz Field on September 20, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) Najee Harris (22) Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Can the Steelers’ offense actually get creative?

This was a minor storyline a week ago, as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator Matt Canada came out before the Packers game and said there was no change to the game plan. Most people shrugged that off as a diversion considering how bad the offense had been and how stale the play calling was to accommodate Ben Roethlisberger. As it turns out, this was the actual plan, as the team quickly reverted to using the short passing game to little success in their loss to the Packers.

Things have to change this week. The game plan can’t be to barely run Harris and allow Roethlisberger to throw the ball 40 plus times this game. It has already proven ineffective, and the Broncos have a decent defense to match up against that style of play. Instead, the offense needs to get more creative. Mix in some play action and motion like week one as opposed to using an offensive game plan similar to 2020.

It will be a disastrous testament to this coaching staff if the offense is relying on receiver screens, short checkdowns, and running back draws out of shotgun all game. The Broncos will likely e expecting this, and the results likely won’t be pretty if the team doesn’t get creative. Yes, Roethlisberger limits what this offense can do, but the play calling also needs to improve if this team wants to get going in the right direction.

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The Steelers are set to play a key game against the Broncos this week. While the season is still young, starting with a 1-4 record would be a bad omen for the rest of the season. The team will have to answer these questions in week five as they prepare to play Denver.