Yikes, that is pretty much an easy way to describe the Steelers season thus far. They are sitting at 2-3 and not looking that great. Since I am a glass half full kind of guy, I believe this season could be much worse than it has been so far. With a losing record after five games, people want to start putting the blame on one person and or group. Breaking it down, problems lie within all phases of their game.
Offensively the Steelers are statistically playing much better than a 2-3 team, well at least the passing game is. They are ranked in the top third for passing, and overall offense in the top half of the NFL. Ben Roethlisberger has been the best player on the team so far this season. He is on pace to set personal records for yards, touchdowns, and touchdown to interception ratio, which are all positive things for the team. So the blame can not and should not be placed on his shoulders. Next are the wide receivers and tight ends. As a group, they are not having a terrible year, just some big things that don’t stand out in the statistics, most notably dropped balls. The ones that first come to mind are the touchdown passes dropped by both Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown. As a player, dropping a touchdown pass is a win for the defense and plays with the mind as to whether or not you will continue to drop them. On the other hand, Heath Miller at tight end is having an amazing year. It seems the offense is finally using his big size and sure hands in the red zone.
Then there is the black sheep of the offense, the running game. The running game, or lack there of, has been beyond disappointing this year. Things started slow with Rashard Mendenhall missing the first few games due to injury. He came back for the game versus the Philadelphia Eagles and all seemed well with the running game again. But was it? The Steelers as a team are ranked in the bottom quarter in rushing yards per game. The lack of a running game is one of the few things hurting this offense. Last and arguably the most disappointing issue with the offense, is not obtaining touchdowns and settling for field goals. Too many times they have got the ball deep into the opponents red zone and had to settle for three points instead of seven. Is it the play calling? Maybe its the offensive line not getting a big enough push. Either way, it needs fixed, and needs fixed now. Not getting touchdowns is hurting this team more than the lack of a running game. Based off of just the performance of the offense, the team should be in my opinion 4-1, maybe 3-2. They are doing enough to win most games, but could be doing just a little bit more.
Now, onto the defense. Where to begin with this group? In my opinion, they are getting older right before our eyes. The defense has always lived and died by the linebackers, at least since I have been watching them play. The team as a whole has 11 sacks through five games. To put that into perspective, the Seattle Seahawks had eight sacks in a half. EIGHT. If your linebackers and linemen are not getting to the quarterback, the secondary is going to get burned. You can hide an average to below average secondary if you get sacks, and they are not doing that this year. Another problem area that has been very visible the past year or so, is turnovers. The defense is just not getting turnovers like an “elite defense” should be getting. As a whole, it has one interception and four fumbles recoveries. Statistically speaking, the team has a positive turnover ratio, but that’s more due to the offense being more careful with the ball than the defense creating turnovers. However, the biggest problem I have noticed is not being able to hold a lead in the fourth quarter. The Steelers have faced two losses this year in which they had the lead . The opponents marched down the field and kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired. I understand it is going to happen, and sometimes you just have to tip your hat and say “good game.” But watching sub par teams do it against the Steelers is unacceptable. Based solely on the defense they should be 1-4, maybe 2-3. The defense just does not look good, and when they do, it isn’t for a whole game.
Special teams was looking up to par, until Thursday night against the Titans. What the heck happened? Well, let us start with the positives. The kicking game had been exceptional as no extra points or field goals had been missed. Kickoffs hadn’t been returned for touchdowns, something that had plagued the team for years. Punting was semi strong, as it wasn’t giving up big returns and was forcing teams to make plays. The returners were also looking like game changers with Chris Rainey and Antonio Brown making big plays. Then came the Thursday night game. A blocked punt and a missed field goal, even though it was a 54-yard try, and all of a sudden, the special teams did not look so strong. Again, overall based solely on special teams, I suppose this team would be around what they are, 2-3.
Last and certainly not least, we come to the coaching staff. This is usually the first group that gets blamed for a loss, whether they deserve it or not. The biggest thing I have witnessed this year with the team as a whole, which I believe comes from the coaches, is penalties. The Steelers lead the league in penalties at a little over nine a game. When is the last time you heard that stat? This has to stop, and that starts with the coaches. Giving free yards and free first downs is a recipe for a losing season, which we all do not want. The coaching staff always gets a lot of heat for play calling. I have not heard to much complaining about that this year, well not as much as usual at least. Bad clock management has been happening all to often with this team lately as well. You can blame the offense and Ben, but it also has to be put on the coaches. It just seems like the team sometimes both offensively and defensively are not willing to adjust mid-game causing the collapses in games they should be winning. A sad thing that has caught my eye over the past year or two, has been the way the Steelers play against certain opponents. It seems the harder the opponent the harder they play, and when faced with a weak challenge they are not prepared for the game.
Being five games in, it seems there are more negatives than positives. Hopefully, the team finds something to rally behind and get the job done. It is a long season, and the Steelers can turn it around, the question is will they? Or are we seeing the real Steelers right now?
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