Steelers report card entering Week 6 bye: Defense shines, offense has reasons for optimism after slow start

A well-known Bill Parcells’ quote involves thoughts when assessing the present state of the Steelers. The Hall of Fame trainer as soon as stated, “you are what your record says you are,” and that quote no doubt applies to the Steelers who, regardless of some evident flaws, are 3-2 and atop the AFC North department standings. 

The Steelers’ first 5 video games had been a combined bag of effects. During that span, Pittsburgh was once blown out two times however was once additionally at the profitable facet of 3 shut video games. Most lately, the Steelers overcame a 10-0 deficit to post a 17-10 win over the rival Ravens that incorporated large performs in all 3 stages. It wasn’t lovely, however it was once sufficient to get the task completed, which might in the long run be the tale of the 2023 Steelers. 

Pittsburgh must shore issues issues up whether it is to stay in first position within the AFC North, on the other hand. Specifically, it must enhance on offense after being at or close to the ground of the league in different classes on that facet of the ball. 

As the Steelers input their bye week, listed here are our grades for the black and gold thru 5 video games. 

Offense: D 

Where can we start? The Steelers’ offense has woefully underperformed in as regards to each and every imaginable means during the first 5 video games. The unit is ultimate within the (*6*) in purple zone potency, twenty fourth on 1/3 downs and has scored simply 5 touchdowns up to now. The offense’s efficiency has resulted in a mountain of grievance being put on Matt Canada, who throughout his time in Pittsburgh has by no means noticed his offense acquire 400 or extra yards in a recreation. 

The offensive line has been the most important unhappiness. It has allowed 14 sacks of Kenny Pickett and has struggled to open up constant operating lanes for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Specifically, the inner of Pittsburgh’s line has struggled regardless of the offseason acquisition of former Eagles starter Isaac Seumalo. Fortunately, the ongoing expansion of rookie Broderick Jones will have to lend a hand Pittsburgh’s offensive line flip issues round. 

Pittsburgh’s problems at the line has made it arduous to judge the operating backs. But something this is transparent is that the Steelers’ operating recreation has in large part been extra environment friendly with Warren within the backfield. Warren’s 79 all-purpose yards on Sunday, for instance, performed a key function in Pittsburgh’s come-from-behind win. Warren has a faster outdoor burst than Harris, and that makes him a better choice so long as the road proceed to have problems developing holes between the tackles. 

The Steelers’ passing recreation was once confronted with early adversity after Diontae Johnson injured his hamstring in Week 1. With Johnson out, the Steelers have struggled to seek out somebody to fill his void. It did not lend a hand issues when beginning tight finish Pat Freiermuth sustained an damage in Week 4. 

Despite those losses, the Steelers’ receivers made 3 large performs that had an immediate lead to two of the workforce’s 3 wins: George Pickens’ 71-yard rating in opposition to Cleveland, Calvin Austin’s 73-yard landing catch in opposition to Las Vegas and Pickens’ 41-yard, game-winning landing catch in opposition to Baltimore. Making large performs was once one thing the Steelers sought after do extra of this season, and they have got been ready to try this (to some extent) up to now. 

Austin and Pickens have had their moments, however the Steelers want extra manufacturing from Allen Robinson II and tight finish Connor Heyward, who was once incorporated extra within the recreation plan this previous weekend with Freiermuth out. Johnson’s anticipated go back for Week 7 will unquestionably lend a hand, too. 

This brings us to Pickett who, like Canada, has additionally come beneath scrutiny along with his play throughout the season’s first 5 video games. Pickett hasn’t been helped by means of Pittsburgh’s offensive line and accidents to Johnson and Freiermuth, however he hasn’t helped issues by means of maintaining onto the ball too lengthy from time to time and lacking some makable throws. 

Pickett has, on the other hand, proven indicators of expansion since Pittsburgh’s Week 1 loss to San Francisco. He’s deep ball accuracy has been forged, and he seems to be gaining again his self assurance. A greater operating recreation and an progressed recreation plan would move a ways in serving to him transferring ahead. It would additionally receive advantages Pickett to proceed to paintings on his chemistry with Johnson, who has but to catch a landing go from the second-year quarterback. 

Defense: B+ 

So a long way, the Steelers’ protection is in large part appearing as anticipated. While it is probably not an elite unit (but), Pittsburgh’s protection has been the energy of the workforce up to now and is the principle explanation why the Steelers lately lead the North. 

In brief, the Steelers’ energy of protection is their talent to hurry the passer. When they are able to get to the quarterback, just right issues most often occur. If they do not, which was once the case in Houston and for nearly all of the 49ers’ recreation, the consequences generally are not just right. 

Pittsburgh’s protection was once pressured to triumph over the lack of six-time Pro Bowl defensive take on Cam Heyward in Week 1. While Heyward is overlooked, the Steelers have fairly conquer his loss with the emergence of rookie Keeanu Benton, second-year participant DeMarvin Leal and third-year veteran Isaiahh Loudermilk. Pittsburgh’s line of defense was once a minimum of in part accountable for a number of large runs allowed throughout the season’s first few weeks however were higher in contemporary weeks. The D-line were given a large play this previous Sunday when Larry Ogunjobi’s pressured fumble of Justice Hill arrange Pittsburgh’s first issues. 

The Steelers’ made over within linebacker corps has had a contemporary construction. Kwon Alexander, a former Pro Bowler who joined the Steelers throughout the primary week of coaching camp, is now grouped into each beginning ILB spots along Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts. Alexander earned the promotion after tallying six tackles (3 for loss) and a sack throughout Sunday’s win over Baltimore. 

Outside linebacker is the energy of the Steelers’ roster. Pittsburgh possesses arguably the most productive OLB duo within the (*6*) in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Both avid gamers scored touchdowns in Pittsburgh’s Week 2 win over Cleveland and feature a mixed 10 sacks, 4 pressured fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and an interception up to now. Markus Golden has confirmed to be a precious backup with two sacks of his personal. 

Like ILB, Pittsburgh’s secondary has additionally long gone thru some adjustments. Newcomer Patrick Peterson has had his ups and downs however has in large part been a good power within the secondary. The identical can also be stated of fellow beginning cornerback Levi Wallace, who leads the Steelers in interceptions. Look for Joey Porter Jr. to proceed to get extra reps on protection within the coming weeks, particularly after his large interception off Lamar Jackson this previous Sunday. 

You can not communicate in regards to the Steelers’ protection with out speaking about Minkah Fitzpatrick. Similarly to 2021, Fitzpatrick needed to focal point much less on playmaking this season and extra on run reinforce. That will have to alternate as Fitzpatrick continues to broaden a rapport with new beginning sturdy protection Keanu Neal and backup Damontae Kazee. In normal, the secondary will receive advantages by means of having extra revel in with one any other because the season continues. That will most probably result in much less splash performs given up and no more large video games from opposing famous person receivers, which has been a subject up to now. 

Special groups: A- 

Pittsburgh has in large part had luck on this house. Chris Boswell has but to pass over a kick, and Pressley Harvin III was once having the most productive yr of his profession ahead of getting injured. Brad Wing, who hadn’t performed in an ordinary season recreation in just about six years previous to Week 4, stuffed in admirably for Harvin the previous two weeks. 

The Steelers’ particular groups got here up with an enormous play Sunday when Miles Killebrew’s blocked punt ended in a security. It was once the primary of 4 unanswered ratings for the Steelers, who overcame Gunner Olszewski’s fumbled punt go back past due within the recreation when Porter picked off Jackson finally zone. 

Coaching: C+

Give Mike Tomlin and his team of workers credit for the improvement of a number of younger avid gamers who’ve stepped up in contemporary weeks (i.e. Jones, Porter, Benton, and many others.). Danny Smith’s particular groups gadgets were in large part forged. Teryl Austin’s protection was once superb in Pittsburgh’s 3 weeks however struggled in losses to the 49ers and Texans. The protection did not play neatly in the ones video games, however the offense’s loss of luck in each outings did not lend a hand issues. 

The primary reason why for Pittsburgh’s reasonable training grade is because of the underperforming offense. Pittsburgh’s receivers are not getting a lot separation, the offensive linemen are not executing their assignments on a constant foundation and the offense continues to be looking for its id. Are those fixable problems? Yes, however the Steelers want to repair them and fasten them rapid if they’re going to stay in first position within the North. 

For the entire grievance he gained following the 2 blowout losses, Tomlin merits equivalent credit for his workforce’s performances the next weeks. The Steelers are 3-2 on account of their talent to reply to adversity whilst making large performs in key moments greater than their warring parties have. That is a tribute to the resiliency the Steelers have proven to this point, and that resiliency will have to proceed to serve Pittsburgh neatly because the 2023 season strikes on.