Steelers vs. Raiders: 3 things to know about Pittsburgh's important Week 3 matchup
By Cory Rogers
At least one Steeler is probably happy to being going on the road
After showing signs of improvement during training camp and the preseason, the Steelers have regressed offensively since the second snap of the season. That's when Matt Canada decided to call his patented -- yet pathetic -- jet sweep on second and four. Technically, it was a quick flip pass to Calvin Austin III as he was going in motion, but, in any case, the play was blown up by the 49ers' defense.
BOOM! Mojo lost.
That arguably set the tone for the rest of the game. Kenny Pickett was sacked on the next play, forcing a three and out, and after a short punt San Francisco marched 54 yards on seven plays to take a 7-0 lead it would never relinquish.
It was the first of seven possessions in which the Steelers had four plays or less in that game. And coupled with the Browns game, Pittsburgh has now accomplished this dubious feat on 16 of 25 possessions (64%).
The Steelers are getting killed on time of possession due to this inadequacy, as according to Pro Football Reference they rank dead last in the NFL with an average drive time of just 1:53. They also rank last in the league in scoring percentage, totaling points on just 16% of their 25 drives thus far.
Overall, Pittsburgh's 33 points through two games (16.5 ppg) ranks 26th in the NFL. The Steelers' 494 total yards gained ranks 31st, and their total of 24 first downs ranks 32 of 32 as well. Canada's offense also averages just 19.8 yards per drive, ranking 31st.
Is it a Matt Canada problem? Or is it a player problem? Or both?
Well, with a nod to the late, great Jimmy Buffett, if Monday night is any indication, most of the fans in Pittsburgh believe the Steelers' offense is "wasting away again in Mattyville"...and it's all Canada's fault.
Between the large "Fire Canada" sign being held up at Acrisure Stadium and the clearly audible jeering of "Fire Canada" by the home crowd, I'm sure the Steelers' embattled offensive coordinator will be happy to head to Sin City to take his wild chances there.