The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into Week 3 with plenty of reasons to be concerned, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The offense managed just 13 points against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 before looking even worse against the Patriots last week, scoring only three points.
Right now, there are issues everywhere. The offensive line can't block, the running game hasn't gotten going, Aaron Rodgers hasn't played well, the wide receivers are struggling to create separation, and their No. 1 receiver, DK Metcalf, hasn't been able to consistently catch the football. Nothing seems to be clicking, and the Steelers need to figure things out before these offensive struggles start costing them multiple games.
The first half of Pittsburgh's schedule is critical. They need to stack as many wins as possible before reaching one of the most daunting stretches of their schedule later in the season. If this offense can't find a way to get going soon, this season could quickly start heading in a much different direction than many expected.
That's why the Steelers desperately need someone on offense to step up and provide a spark. That won't necessarily be easy against a Bengals team that enters Week 3 at 2-0 and has shown improvement defensively. Cincinnati's defense isn't going to be the cakewalk it has been for Pittsburgh over the past couple of seasons, which puts even more pressure on the Steelers to find something that works offensively.
One area they could look to exploit is getting Pat Freiermuth more involved in the passing game. With nearly every other part of the offense struggling through the first two weeks, Freiermuth could be exactly what the doctor ordered to finally generate some offense and give this unit the spark it desperately needs.
Pat Freiermuth could be the spark Pittsburgh desperately needs to get its struggling offense back on track
The Bengals' defensive line is much improved after trading for Dexter Lawrence and adding Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen in free agency. Through the first two games, opposing offenses have struggled to consistently run the football against Cincinnati, which could force the Steelers to find other ways to move the ball.
That's where Pittsburgh could have an opportunity. Cincinnati's two inside linebackers, Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight, both went through some growing pains as rookies last season and still have limitations the Steelers can attack. Neither linebacker is particularly strong in coverage, and we saw Houston take advantage of that last week. Dalton Schultz finished the game with 12 catches for 140 yards, showing just how vulnerable the middle of Cincinnati's defense can be against tight ends.
For a Steelers wide receiver room that has struggled to create separation and consistently make plays, this could be the perfect game to lean more heavily on Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Freiermuth in particular could become a reliable target for Aaron Rodgers over the middle of the field and give this passing game something it has been missing through the first two weeks.
If the Steelers' passing game is finally going to take a step in the right direction, the tight ends could play a critical role in making that happen against Cincinnati.
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