For two straight weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers got their teeth kicked in. Mike Tomlin's team came out flat on the road against the Colts in Week 4 before putting up a dud performance against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
In Week 6, Tomlin had a chance to right the ship by bringing the energy early. However, things didn't go Pittsburgh's way.
On the first drive of the game, Justin Fields and the offense methodically worked their way down the field. Eventually, the drive stalled and Pittsburgh settled for a field goal.
Then it was the Steelers' turn to stop a depleted Raiders offense. That's when thing went south.
Despite the Raiders being without the-time All-Pro receiver Davante Adams, starting receiver Jakobi Meyers, and tight end Michael Mayer, Las Vegas effortlessly strung together a 10-play, 70-yard drive on their first offensive possession of the game, which resulted in a touchdown for the Raiders.
Pittsburgh's defense once again looked sluggish to begin a game. Though the Steelers are dealing with a plethora of injuries, their Week 6 opponent is just as banged up. Not only that, but they decided to make a quarterback change -- benching Gardner Minshew and going with Aidan O'Connell.
On the opening drive of the game, O'Connell chopped up Pittsburgh's secondary by completing all four passes for 44 yards. Alexander Mattison chipped in six carries for 25 yards and a touchdown on the first drive of the game.
Mattison takes it in for the @Raiders TD!
— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024
📺: #PITvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
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Steelers need to get aggressive... and fast
A team struggling to overcome injuries can ill-afford to start their third straight game this way. Mike Tomlin has had more than enough time to prepare to face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6, but already it looks like he's been caught off guard once again.
These slow starts are becoming unacceptable. Both sides of the football need to start getting aggressive. This could go south in a hurry if they're not careful. If this isn't the wake-up call Mike Tomlin needs, I don't know what is.