Pittsburgh Steelers State of the Union after the much-needed bye week

I don't know about you but if you had told me after the Steelers 2024 schedule was released that we would have six wins and find ourselves atop the AFC North Division, I would have told you that you are an optimist and that wishful thinking does not always morph into reality.

I'm happy to admit that I was wrong.

The reality is this: we are in first place in the AFC North and playing better than I believe most pundits would have predicted before the season commenced. We are playing better than I predicted, so what do I know?

As we enjoy the bye week, let's discuss the State of Union on the offensive side of the ball.

Steelers' offense has steadily improved thanks to good QB play and a consistent rushing attack

Through eight games of the 2024 campaign, the Steelers offense ranks nineteenth in average yards per game, twenty-sixth in passing yards per game, which is not great and something we will delve into shortly, eighth in rushing yards, and thirteenth in average yards per game.

While only one of those stats lands us in the top ten, it is encouraging, in my opinion, that the offense is where it is after eight games. We all know how awful the offense performed in both 2022 and 2023. This iteration of the offense is downright refreshing.

That refresh can be attributed to several players, including Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Najee Harris, and George Pickens, but much of the credit should go to Arthur Smith and Mike Tomin. When Smith was hired to be our offensive coordinator, I knew the running game would benefit as a result.

Harris has rushed for five-hundred and ninety-two yards on one-hundred and thirty-six carries. That equates to a little over four yards per carry. Harris has also scored two TDs. While these stats are not worthy of story or song, it is clear to me that as Harris goes, so does the running game.

The decision to replace Fields with Wilson as the starting QB has paid off thus far, albeit it is a small sample size. The Steelers offense with Wilson at the helm has looked completely different from the offense we saw with Fields steering the ship.

How long this new-look offense will be able to keep the winning train on the track is anyone's guess, but, for right now, let's enjoy the rejuvenation. The NFL is a week to week league. One week you're a hero and the next week, you can't do anything right.

Let's take a look at the State of the Union on the defensive side of the ball.

Pittsburgh's defense is playing at an elite level with no signs of regressing

Let me knock wood for stating the Steelers defense is not showing signs of regressing. As I just stated, the NFL is week to week league. One of our two losses so far on the season can be laid at the feet of the defense. The other loss was on the offense.

Through eight games, the Steelers defense is ranked ninth in total yards allowed, twenty-first in average passing yards surrendered, fourth in average rushing yards allowed, and second in average points allowed.

With the exception of average passing yards allowed per game, our defense is playing at an elite level, no doubt about it. Similar to the rejuvenated offense, how long the defense can maintain this pace is anyone's guess, but my guess is that with the schedule we have in front of us, the defense will be tested in every game.

To say that Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin have done a stellar job thus far in engineering the defensive dominance that we are witnessing would be an understatement. Again, the remainder of the season is another question that needs to be answered, but, for now, let's relish in the 2024 iteration of the 'Steel Curtain'.

Let's review the State of the Union on special teams and coaching.

Steelers are sitting in the 'catbird seat' in the AFC North

We would be remiss if we did not discuss how well the special teams have played thus far. Danny Smith has done a phenomenal job this season. The special teams are not only playing well, but the unit has blocked kicks and punts and provided momentum shifts.

We are sitting in the top spot in the AFC North Division because we are 'firing on all cylinders' right now. Much, if not all of the credit, should go to Tomlin and the rest of the coaching staff. For six put the eight games we have played, we have come out on top.

I know I have said this before, but I will say it again. If you had asked me when the schedule came out what our record would be at the bye week, I would not have predicted that we would have only two losses. The fact that we have only two losses is remarkable if you ask me.

READ MORE: 5 bold predictions for Steelers, AFC North in 2024

The way we have played throughout the first eight games of the season is a testament to the steadfast nature of our coaching and of our approach to offense, defense, and special teams. I'm sure Wilson would like to air out the ball more than he has been through two games, for example.

I'm sure Harris would like to carry the ball thirty times a game, for example, but that is not our approach. I'm sure Pickens would like to have every ball thrown his way, but that is not our approach. Our approach, at least through the first eight games, is that of teamwork.

Teamwork should be the approach each and every year. I have also said this before and I will say it again. Tomlin may be authoring the finest coaching performance of his career this season. Players are engaged, the coaches are seemingly being well-received by their position groups and we are atop the AFC North. The 'cherry on top' would be a Super Bowl victory, but let's not too far into the future, for now.