Pittsburgh Steelers' Preseason Woes: Offensive Struggles Raise Concerns
As the Pittsburgh Steelers delve deeper into their preseason schedule, a troubling issue has surfaced – the offense's apparent struggle to find its footing. Over the span of two preseason games, the Steelers' offense has only mustered a paltry 15 points, a statistic that undoubtedly raises concerns as the regular season approaches.
In their latest outing, a 9-3 loss, the offensive challenges were starkly highlighted. Only a fraction of those 15 points were scored with Justin Fields on the field, as the persistent lack of pass protection stymied any attempt to establish a rhythm. This inadequacy in protecting the quarterback has been a glaring issue that not only hinders individual play but also disrupts the collective flow of the offense.
Russell Wilson, tasked with leading the offense during five series against the Buffalo Bills, found himself unable to orchestrate a single scoring drive. The Bills' defensive front proved formidable, sacking Wilson three times and effectively neutralizing any scoring threat. Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the Steelers, has been vocal about the detrimental impact of the inadequate pass protection:
"It's somewhat of an incomplete study because you just don't get a chance to see them operate or us operate or us establish rhythm and personality when you're not winning possession downs," Tomlin remarked. "And we weren't. The first three or so series of the game, it was three and out, and you're not going to get an opportunity to establish rhythm or play the way you'd like as an individual or a collective."
There is a palpable sense of urgency within the Steelers' camp to address these flaws before the regular season. Tomlin stressed the importance of improving the pass protection, noting, "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did – not only in possession downs but just in general." He remains candid with his team, acknowledging that this aspect of their game cannot continue to be a weak link: "I was really upfront with the group about it in that regard; that can't be a problem for us. We've got to be better than we were tonight in that area."
Further complicating the situation are injuries to key players on the offensive line. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig is potentially out for the season due to a torn rotator, which delivers a hammer blow to the team's depth and experience. Additionally, rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is sidelined with his own injury woes, leaving the team to scramble for effective replacements.
Against the Bills, the inexperience on the line was evident. Greg Rousseau took full advantage of Broderick Jones, who was moved to right tackle for the game. Justin Fields was sacked once, further underscoring the line's vulnerability and the urgent need for improvement.
The Steelers' preseason finale looms on the horizon with a matchup against the Detroit Lions. This game will be pivotal for Tomlin as he closely monitors the offensive line performances to determine which quarterback will start. This decision will be critical, as the quarterback who starts will need the best protection the team can muster to establish any semblance of an effective offensive rhythm.
As the clock ticks down to the final preseason game, the Steelers have a narrow window to rectify their issues. The offensive line's ability to protect the quarterback will be crucial, not only to secure points on the board but to instill confidence and cohesion within the offense. The urgency is clear – for the Steelers to enter the regular season as a competitive force, significant strides need to be made, and quickly.