Saying the Pittsburgh Steelers need to make major improvements in Week 3 is an understatement. After notching just one field goal in their 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots, the Steelers are preparing to host the Cincinnati Bengals in a must-win AFC North matchup.
We already knew that Cincinnati had a lethal offense, thanks to their four-headed monster of quarterback Joe Burrow, running back Chase Brown, and receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. But now we also have to worry about Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and a defense that allowed just six points to the Texans despite playing on the road in Week 2.
Thankfully, it's still September, and there's more than enough time to turn this sinking ship around. However, if the Steelers want real change this season, these five things must improve quickly.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must improve in these five areas in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals
DK Metcalf needs to catch the football
This is a given. DK Metcalf's hands have been terrible through two games, and if we were to prorate his drops over a 17-game season, he's on pace to have 26 dropped passes this year. We know who Metcalf is; he's never going to be the most consistent receiver at the catch point. However, he needs to be worlds better than he has been so far.
Metcalf could draw some favorable matchups against the Bengals, as cornerback Dax Hill and safety Jordan Battle have struggled in coverage early. But when the ball is thrown his way, Metcalf had better reel it in.
The right guard spot must improve dramatically
With the latest injury news for Spencer Anderson, we don't know exactly who will be manning the right guard position this week. But whoever does is going to have their work cut out for them. The Steelers' offensive line will face Dexter Lawrence, and as bad as things have gone for this unit in the first two games, there's potential for it to get worse.
Perhaps backup center/guard Brock Hoffman gets the nod this week. Whoever it is, we need to see dramatic improvements on the offensive line, and head coach Mike McCarthy should be game-planning to help mask the weakness at right guard this week.
Aaron Rodgers needs to push the ball down the field
After some encouraging throws in Week 1 that fell just short of connecting, Aaron Rodgers looked much worse against the Patriots in Week 2. The 42-year-old quarterback looked skittish in the pocket and failed to connect with receivers downfield.
Some of this is outside of Rodgers' control, as the O-line struggled and wide receivers couldn't get open consistently. Still, Rodgers has done nothing to elevate the performance of the players around him. He needs to be more willing to step up in the pocket and deliver the ball downfield and over the middle, even if it means he takes a lick now and then.
Rayshawn Jenkins needs to have discipline as the last line of defense
It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, and Rayshawn Jenkins' Achilles' heel has always been his inconsistency in coverage. Jenkins likes to hunt for splash plays, often at the expense of allowing explosive plays down the field. We saw this on full display in Week 2.
This can't happen against Joe Burrow and a dangerous passing offense. Jenkins must play with discipline on every snap, as he's often the team's last line of defense in the secondary. If he doesn't, nothing Pittsburgh does on defense in Week 3 will matter.
Steelers can't keep missing blocking assignments
We talked about how important it is for the right guard spot to improve against the Bengals this week. But it's not just Spencer Anderson who's struggled; the whole unit has. Every starter on the line has been bullied at times this season.
However, the biggest issue might be missed assignments. The Steelers have struggled mightily to pick up free blitzers and stunts. Even the running backs in pass protection play a role in this. Center Zach Frazier is the only Steelers player who kept the same role from the 2025 season, so we knew there were going to be some growing pains. Now it's time to iron out the kinks in Week 3.
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