Will the Steelers’ protection bounce again after an unsightly sport in opposition to the Colts?
The Pittsburgh Steelers had the top-ranked protection by way of three weeks, each in scoring and in yardage. They’re nonetheless second in factors, however fell to fourth now in yardage. They rank third in speeding yards allowed and eighth in passing yards allowed. And with two video games with no takeaway, they’ve fallen to ninth in that division.
The Indianapolis Colts had their quantity early on, and the Steelers struggled to regulate to the change at quarterback. They ready for Anthony Richardson, a extra run-oriented, read-option quarterback. However when Joe Flacco, a extra conventional passer, entered the sport, even the coaches admitted on a number of events that they didn’t make that adjustment shortly sufficient.
Up subsequent are the Dallas Cowboys, who don’t have a lot of a run sport however are fifth in passing yards. QB Dak Prescott has already thrown for 1,072 yards with six touchdowns to 2 interceptions. His strongest connection, after all, is with WR CeeDee Lamb, already with 316 yards and two touchdowns. Will the Steelers use Joey Porter Jr. to comply with him all around the area—even within the slot?
Contemplating they couldn’t actually cease Michael Pittman Jr, there’s purpose to have issues concerning the Steelers placing a lid on Lamb. Prescott is a good quarterback, and he is aware of how one can discover his high receiver in all conditions.
Their offensive line is a little bit of a combined bag, however they nonetheless have some stalwarts in Zack Martin and Tyler Smith. They’ve one other Tyler within the rookie Guyton, who received’t should face Alex Highsmith this week. The Colts did a fantastic job containing T.J. Watt final week, so how one can the Steelers get him free?
One factor the Steelers have talked about all yr is how important their protection is to their success. They’re 3-0 when the protection performs as much as its capabilities, however the final one acquired away from them. Granted, 27 factors is unhealthy below any circumstance, however particularly on an off day for an excellent unit. So how do they cease the slide in its tracks and rebound in opposition to the Cowboys?
The Steelers’ 2024 season is underway, following one other disappointing yr ending in a first-round playoff loss. They’ve had a protracted offseason for the reason that Buffalo Payments stamped them out of their distress again in January. There are optimistic indicators, however issues might bounce off the rails any second.
The most important query hanging over the crew is the quarterback query. Will Russell Wilson regain his job when he’s wholesome, or is Justin Fields stealing it? How will the crew proceed to handle the depth chart, which is surprisingly nonetheless in flux?
The common season is right here, following weeks of camp and preseason video games. The Steelers made quite a few strikes by way of signings and commerce—and launch. Greater than standard, they appeared snug creating holes, assured they will fill them. Some they managed to fill, others not a lot. Now that we have now so many items of the puzzle, nevertheless, we merely have a brand new set of inquiries to ask.