Steelers Offense Faces Uphill Battle as Preseason Woes Continue
Steelers Offense Faces Uphill Battle as Preseason Woes Continue
The Pittsburgh Steelers are navigating choppy waters as they progress through their preseason schedule, with their offensive struggles becoming more pronounced with each passing game. Over the course of two preseason matchups, the Steelers' offense has only managed to put up 15 points, highlighting a pressing concern as the regular season looms.
Saturday night's 9-3 loss was a sobering reminder of the hurdles the team must overcome. Particularly striking is that only three of those 15 points were scored while Justin Fields was on the field, underlining the systemic issues plaguing the offensive unit. A persistent lack of pass protection has hampered Fields' ability to establish any sort of consistent offensive rhythm.
Russell Wilson, who appeared in five series against the Buffalo Bills, failed to orchestrate a single scoring drive. The seasoned quarterback was sacked three times, each act serving as further proof of the offensive line's vulnerabilities. Head coach Mike Tomlin was candid about the devastating impact this lack of protection is having on the team's prospects.
"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 said. "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."
The match against the Bills showcased glaring weaknesses in the Steelers' line-up. Greg Rousseau, capitalizing on the inexperience of Broderick Jones, who was moved to right tackle for the game, penetrated the backfield and disrupted quarterback play consistently. Fields, too, wasn’t spared, as he faced a sack amidst the chaos.
The Steelers’ troubles on the offensive line are compounded by injuries to key players. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig's torn rotator could potentially sideline him for the entire season. Rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is also currently out due to injury, further depleting the depth chart and raising concerns ahead of the upcoming matches.
Tomlin has made it clear that pass protection remains a critical area needing immediate improvement. "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general," the head coach stated. He further emphasized the importance of fortifying this aspect of the game. "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."
As the team prepares for their preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, all eyes will be on the offensive line’s performance. Tomlin faces the daunting task of deciding which quarterback to field, a decision that hinges largely on how well the line can protect its playmakers.
While the preseason results are not the be-all and end-all, the evident struggles the Steelers face on the offense front cannot be overlooked. Ensuring the quarterbacks have the time and protection they need to execute plays is paramount as the team looks to sharpen its edge before the regular season begins.
The final preseason game will be a litmus test for the Steelers’ preparedness and ability to adapt under pressure. Fans and critics alike will be watching to see if the team can iron out these crucial issues or if these preseason woes foreshadow challenges that could stretch into the regular season.
