With the first week of the NFL season upon us, it is high time to get back into the regular season swing of things. This is a Steelers team that is very new, having undergone some major turnovers over the past two seasons. Because of this, there has been rampant speculation and a lot of unknowns.
With the game against the 49ers set to open the season, I have compiled a list of key questions that this team will need to figure out during their debut. San Francisco is no easy opponent, and the team will need to fire on all cylinders to come out on top. Here are four pivotal questions that the Steelers must answer in week one.
Will the Steelers defense truly be elite?
Much has been said about this Steelers defense this offseason, and all of it has been warranted. The team has a superstar at every level and has multiple key investments elsewhere in the unit. This is a defense that should be one of the best in the NFL, and they will have their work cut out for them in this first week.
While the 49ers lack the elite quarterback play of Patrick Mahomes or the like, their offense is a notably difficult one to defend. They make the most out of simple concepts and are good at disguising what they are running. Efficiency is the name of the game, and Brock Purdy proved to be just that as a rookie a year ago.
The Steelers defense needs to pounce though in a big way. The run defense needs to be on point, which will force the 49ers to win through the air. While they have shown the ability to do that, it certainly isn’t their strength.
This defense has been heavily invested in, and the offense has more questions than answers as of now. This group has to slow down San Francisco and give the offense the chance to score. That was how this team was built, and it is time for the defense to prove that they are a top group in the NFL this season.