The Steelers are headed to Denver looking to build on their season opener and move to 2-0. While they managed to pull off a win against the Falcons, there are plenty of areas that need improvement if they want to take down the Broncos.
Denver, on the other hand, is coming off a tough loss to the Seahawks and will be determined to get into the win column. For Pittsburgh to secure their second straight victory, they’ll need to clean up a few key areas and execute a solid game plan. Here are the three things they must focus on to come away with a win.
Pressure Bo Nix into mistakes
Bo Nix had a rough debut last week, struggling to find his rhythm, and he'll be eager to bounce back in a big way. But that’s easier said than done, especially against a defense like the Steelers. If Nix thought Seattle’s defense was tough, he's in for an even rude awakening.
Pittsburgh needs to replicate last week’s dominant pass rush, where they managed to disrupt Kirk Cousins without relying heavily on blitzing. Their defensive front consistently created pressure while the secondary locked down in coverage.
That formula should be the blueprint again against Denver: apply relentless pressure, force Nix into making bad decisions, and capitalize on his mistakes.
Mike Tomlin wasn't kidding when he said they didn't want to blitz Kirk Cousins. Blitzed on just 3 of 27 chances, 11.1%. Some were hug/add-on. Only one DB blitz the whole game.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 11, 2024
Get home with four, drop seven. That's a winning formula. #Steelers
Utilize the middle of the field
The Steelers passing game struggled last week, and one glaring oversight was the lack of attempts over the middle of the field. Justin Fields didn’t even attempt a pass in that area, and that needs to change.
While Arthur Smith admitted they deliberately avoided the middle due to Jessie Bates' presence and the risk of turnovers, it's time to adjust for this week's matchup against Denver.
Arthur Smith said he had Justin Fields stay away from the middle of the field out of respect to Falcons safety Jessie Bates, whom he coached in Atlanta. "Our Jason Bourne, T.J. Watt, wrecked the game. Theirs didn’t. That’s what the story of the game really was."
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) September 12, 2024
The Broncos' middle linebackers present a clear vulnerability, and Pat Freiermuth should be a bigger focal point in the passing attack. Targeting him between the hash marks could be a key to opening up the offense.
Additional support alongside Pickens
The Steelers wide receiver corps, aside from George Pickens, only managed 2 catches for 8 yards. While the passing game wasn’t a major factor last week, thanks to the strong ground attack, it’s clear that with Patrick Surtain likely shadowing Pickens, another wideout has to step up.
We knew expectations for this WR group were low, but no one expected it to be this underwhelming. If someone doesn’t emerge as a reliable option in the passing game soon, the Steelers may be forced to explore trades or sign a free agent to fill the void.
Thoughts on Steelers vs. Broncos game:
This is a game the Steelers should win, and it's a pivotal one for Justin Fields to solidify his role as the starter. If Fields steps up and performs well, he could lock in his position for the foreseeable future. However, he must clean up the basics: fixing his accuracy on routine throws and eliminating fumbled snaps.
For Pittsburgh, Sunday needs to be a statement game. They need to prove they're more than a team that scrapes by each week. While convincing wins have been rare for the Steelers, and this game could easily turn into another grind, it's time for the offense to step up and score more points, while the defense continues to dominate.