Photo: steelers.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers couldn’t have asked for a much better position entering their Week 9 bye. Winners of four consecutive games, Pittsburgh sits at 6-2 and atop the AFC North following Sunday’s convincing 27-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
However, as encouraging as the Steelers’ recent performances have been, there’s still plenty of room for improvement. Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff used the extended break following their Week 4 loss in Cleveland to address several issues, and the results have been noticeable. Now, with another opportunity to evaluate their progress, Pittsburgh must identify what could prevent it from sustaining that success over the second half of the season.
With a difficult stretch of games awaiting them, here are five areas the Steelers should focus on coming out of their bye week.
One of the more interesting developments over the last month has been Pittsburgh’s ability to win without relying heavily on Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers have established a productive rushing attack, taking considerable pressure off their veteran quarterback. However, that doesn’t mean the passing game can continue to operate inconsistently.
Rodgers completed just 13 of 25 passes for 172 yards against Cleveland, although his 58-yard connection with Darnell Washington demonstrated that Pittsburgh can still generate explosive plays through the air. The problem is that those opportunities haven’t always translated into sustained production, particularly when opponents have been able to limit the running game.
Injuries at wide receiver haven’t helped matters. Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson have been sidelined, while the Steelers have been forced to rely on younger or inexperienced contributors such as Germie Bernard, Brandon Johnson, and Brandon Smith. Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio praised Bernard’s development earlier this week, particularly his ability to create yards after the catch and the growing trust between the rookie and Rodgers.
Getting Pittman healthy would certainly help, but Pittsburgh also needs to find ways to involve DK Metcalf more consistently. With tougher defenses ahead, the Steelers can’t afford to become one-dimensional.
While the Steelers have made significant strides running the football, their red-zone offense remains an area of concern. Pittsburgh has occasionally struggled to finish drives with touchdowns, leaving points on the field even when the offense has successfully moved the ball into scoring position.
Angelichio acknowledged Monday that the coaching staff needs to examine its approach near the goal line, including whether Pittsburgh is selecting the right plays and taking full advantage of its improved rushing attack. It’s a fair question considering how effectively Jaylen Warren and the offensive line have performed over the last several weeks.
There’s no reason the Steelers should abandon their passing concepts near the goal line, but finding a better balance could make the offense considerably more difficult to defend. Settling for field goals might be enough against some opponents, but it becomes a much bigger problem when facing teams capable of putting points on the board quickly.
Pittsburgh’s defense has arguably made the biggest improvement since the first Cleveland matchup. The Steelers have become increasingly difficult to run against, culminating in Sunday’s performance that limited the Browns to just 34 rushing yards while producing eight sacks and two takeaways.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham acknowledged that the loss in Cleveland prompted some personal reflection, particularly regarding communication and trust between himself and his players. He also emphasized that the defense’s improvement has been part of a larger process, with the coaching staff gradually introducing concepts and building upon what the players have already mastered.
However, Graham was quick to point out that the work isn’t finished. While Pittsburgh has demonstrated an ability to stop the run, the next challenge involves tightening its pass coverage. That will be especially important when the Steelers return from their bye to face Cincinnati, an opponent capable of testing the secondary in ways Cleveland couldn’t.
Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, and the rest of Pittsburgh’s defensive backs will need to complement the pressure being generated up front. The Steelers have shown they can dominate opponents when everything works together, but maintaining that level of execution against better passing attacks will be essential.
It’s difficult to discuss Pittsburgh’s recent success without acknowledging the improvement along the offensive line. What was once an inconsistent group has become one of the team’s biggest strengths, particularly when it comes to establishing the running game.
Warren rushed for 143 yards against Cleveland, including a 51-yard gain on third-and-13 that highlighted how effectively the Steelers have been exploiting aggressive defensive fronts. Pittsburgh’s ability to generate those opportunities has been a significant factor in its four-game winning streak.
Angelichio specifically praised center Zach Frazier for his ability to identify defensive fronts and make the proper adjustments before the snap. He also highlighted the physicality of guards Brock Hoffman and Mason McCormick, noting their willingness to initiate contact and establish the line of scrimmage.
The challenge now is maintaining that standard. Opponents will undoubtedly study what Pittsburgh has been doing successfully and look for ways to counter it. The Steelers must continue developing their blocking concepts while ensuring Rodgers has enough time to take advantage of opportunities in the passing game.
The Steelers have earned their 6-2 record, but the second half of the schedule won’t provide many opportunities to relax. Pittsburgh returns from its bye with a trip to Cincinnati, followed by a visit to Philadelphia and a Black Friday matchup against Denver. While the Eagles are on a downward trend, the Steelers haven’t won in the “City of Brotherly Love” in decades. The Broncos are also among the top teams in the AFC too.
That three-game stretch could go a long way toward determining whether the Steelers maintain their position atop the AFC North. Pittsburgh also has two remaining meetings with Baltimore, meaning there’s still plenty of divisional football left to play before the playoff picture becomes clear.
Perhaps the biggest challenge for McCarthy and his staff will be ensuring the team doesn’t become complacent following its recent success. The Steelers have shown considerable growth since their 2-2 start, but the same issues that plagued them earlier in the season could resurface if they aren’t addressed.
There’s plenty to like about where the Steelers stand entering their bye week. The running game has become a legitimate strength, the defense is playing with greater discipline, and Pittsburgh has demonstrated an ability to win games in different ways.
However, the Steelers shouldn’t confuse their recent success with having everything figured out. The passing game needs more consistency, the offense must capitalize on scoring opportunities, and the defense still has to prove itself against some of the league’s better quarterbacks.
The good news is that McCarthy and his coaching staff have already demonstrated an ability to identify problems and make adjustments. If Pittsburgh can use this bye week as effectively as its previous extended break, the Steelers could be in an even better position when the games start carrying greater weight in November and December.
