What happens next? A look at the Steelers next three games

The Pittsburgh Steelers sitting at 7-0 is something that nobody predicted in the off-season. Now as we look ahead in the schedule, Pittsburgh faces the Cowboys, Jaguars, and Bengals in the next three games. Does Pittsburgh handle these teams with ease or do they face possibly their first loss of the season?

That is what I am here to discuss.

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Dallas Cowboys

This Sunday’s game against the Cowboys does not worry me too much. The loss of Dak Prescott is the biggest weakness of the team.

Regardless of who takes the reins at quarterback, I have more faith in the Steelers defense to shut down the Cowboys offense. Ezekiel Elliot has not been the pro bowl running back he is supposed to be this season. He only has 132 carries for 521 yards and 5 scores. He also has had ball security issues this season with 4 fumbles lost which T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree will try to take advantage of.

Also, the Cowboys defense this season is historically bad and they are dead last in points allowed, which Ben Roethlisberger and company can put up numbers on them with no doubt. So I say they handle Dallas for the win.

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Cincinnati Bengals

The next game they play is against the Cincinnati Bengals. What can I say? We have a wonderful rivalry with the Bengals.

However, Pittsburgh has won the last 10 games against them. It is also the very first time they face this year’s number one draft pick, Joe Burrow.

Burrow’s rookie campaign has been very up and down. He is currently sitting at 2,272 passing yards with an 11-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also has a QB rating of 59.9.

Burrow has flashed in a few games this season but the major issue is the Bengals offensive line. All of their opponents have combined for 28 sacks in eight games. Pittsburgh can have a field day blitzing Burrow because pass protection is one of the biggest weaknesses.

Cincinnati does have skilled players such as A.J. Green, Tee Higgins, and Giovanni Bernard. I believe that the Steelers will have a fight on their hands because AFC North games are always nail-biters that come down to the wire.

However, I think Pittsburgh can close this game out.

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Jacksonville Jaguars

Finally, in the last of these next three games, the Steelers face the Jaguars. This game could be a “trap” game due to prior games the Steelers have had against them.

In 2018, Ben led a furious comeback in Jacksonville to win 20-16. He also nearly led a comeback during the 2017 divisional game which they lost 45-42. While their 2020 record sits at 1-6, it may not be an easy game.

Jacksonville is a dark horse team that always gives Pittsburgh problems. So, I expect a hard-fought matchup between these two teams. However, I do believe the Steelers defense holds Gardner Minshew, or whomever their quarterback is by then, in check.

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Conclusion

There is one key factor moving forward for the Steelers in these games: offense.

I do not know what is going on but even though this team is 7-0, the offense is not producing at times when it is needed. Whether it comes down to play-calling or player execution, they need to get better.

All three of these games are very winnable: but if they fall behind as they did in Baltimore, the Steelers’ luck of staying perfect may run out. If this team wants to keep on pace, every single receiver needs to get involved in the game.

Once all of the weapons firing on all cylinders, this team has the potential to be truly unstoppable.

I have full confidence in this Steelers team. They are fighters and they are winners. Now let’s find out how long they can keep the streak going this Sunday in “Jerry World” against one of the Steelers’ greatest historic non-division rivals.


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