The Steelers edged out the Denver Broncos 13-6 this past weekend to hold onto the top spot in the AFC North. While there were many thrilling moments on both sides of the ball, there were also areas the Pittsburgh team needs to address before their upcoming home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers this weekend.
Self-inflicted penalties stall the offense
Steelers fans witnessed Justin Fields suit up again to lead the offense in a promising effort to steer the team productively and efficiently. However, yellow flags littered the field enough times to ultimately hinder Fields and the offense from unleashing a juggernaut outing against Denver.
The main culprit was OT Broderick Jones, who was penalized 3 times, with the major penalty negating a Fields torpedo of a 51-yard completion to George Pickens. Overall, 10 team penalties racked up 78 yards, not the Mike T standard we want to see. Look for the offense to encompass a greater sense of discipline in Week 3.
Miscues continue on the O-line
The Steel O-line struggled with miscues again this week as Justin Fields was sacked twice in Denver. While it’s understandable that they are a work in progress, the O-line needs to focus on protecting their QB and improving communication.
A notable miscommunication occurred late in the 4th quarter when Fields had a snap hit him in the face, on their side of the field, but it was luckily recovered by RB Jaylen Warren. If a Steeler hadn’t recovered it, we could’ve seen a different game unfold.
On a positive note, the O-line did better at creating running room for RB’s Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. OT Troy Fautanu was the standout player, showing promise for the young lineup. While progress is being made, they need to maintain their level of awareness and desire to improve.
The Wide Receiver Room Problem
The title says it all, the WR room is in disarray, with George Pickens being the only consistent target. Van Jefferson hasn’t progressed as expected, and Austin III was shaken up by Broncos Safety P.J. Locke. Scotty Miller, despite being on the field for 14 snaps, didn’t receive a single target from QB Justin Fields.
One positive note is that Fields showed improvement in his passing, targeting the middle of the field with success. Hopefully, rookie Roman Wilson can recover from injury and provide a boost to the WR group alongside GP.
Finishing out games on a strong note from the offense
The Steelers' offense had a strong first half, but they have a recurring issue from last season. The team tends to rely on their defense to make game-changing plays like interceptions or sacks. This trend continued in the past two weekends, with a walk-off sack from T.J. Watt in the previous game and a game-sealing interception by Damontae Kazee in the latest game.
As Week 3 approaches, it’s important for Coach Mike T to instill a higher standard of execution from the offense to achieve the penultimate victory kneel.
The home opener approaches
The Steel City is buzzing with excitement after securing back-to-back W’s and currently maintaining the top spot in the AFC North. Their upcoming opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers, has shown their ability to create splash plays and rack up enough points to stay competitive.
For the Steelers, the primary challenge ahead remains, discipline. If the team can improve their discipline and reduce penalties, it would be a significant step forward for this offense.