The Pittsburgh Steelers' second preseason game kicks off Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Pittsburgh looks to build on last week’s win. It is expected to be business as usual with the same starters and rotation used in the matchup against Jacksonville.
For a team focused on improving each week and learning from mistakes, the stakes are rising, especially with final roster cuts drawing closer. How the depth chart ultimately shakes out could be determined by how well key players do.
There is a lot to watch, but here are three things to keep an eye on Saturday night.
3 Key things to watch as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Buccaneers
Is it finally time for the run game to shine?
I expect most of the Steelers' offensive line to start again Saturday. While their pass protection was impressive last week, the run game struggled to get going. Rookie Kaleb Johnson was part of that challenge. It was clear he was still finding his footing, playing cautiously and missing some open holes. However, his offensive line did not provide much help either.
With a preseason game under his belt, I am confident Johnson will improve the second time around. The strong pass protection was a promising sign, but the Steelers' offense will ultimately rely on the run game. I anticipate a heavy emphasis on running the ball Saturday, with the team looking to make significant progress in that area.
Who will stand out and inch closer to claiming a spot in the cornerback room?
The Steelers made significant moves this offseason to strengthen their cornerback room. They signed Darius Slay in free agency and traded for Jalen Ramsey. They also added Brandin Echols from the Jets, who has had one of the best training camps on the team and delivered the strongest performance in last week’s preseason game.
Beanie Bishop also had a strong outing. These are good problems to have, as the Steelers have rarely had such depth at cornerback in my lifetime. It has long been a weakness for this defense, and now it has become a strength.
That said, tough decisions lie ahead. How many cornerbacks will make the roster, and who will be cut? Promising player Cory Trice has struggled with injuries and is hurt again, while James Pierre, a standout on special teams, now seems to be on the fringe of the roster. Saturday night’s game will be another opportunity for these cornerbacks to make their case for a spot on the team.
Will rookies Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black see more action?
With Cameron Heyward still holding out, the two rookie defensive linemen have been getting more reps in practice. Last week, both saw a decent amount of snaps, including some time in the third quarter. However, with Heyward’s contract situation showing little progress and the real possibility of him missing games, the question remains: Will Mike Tomlin give Harmon and Black more playing time to prepare them for Week One just in case, or will he limit their snaps to keep their bodies fresh in case Heyward does not return?
Yahya Black made his presence known against the Jaguars, continuing his strong transition from practice to game action, while Derrick Harmon also had some strong moments. For rookies, it is important to show consistency and improve each week. This is definitely something to watch closely throughout the game.