The Pittsburgh Steelers are lucky to have split their first two games.
Their defense overwhelmed Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills to score a road victory in their season opener.
T.J. Watt and company limited the high-powered Buffalo offense to 16 points, while Ben Roethlisberger guided Pittsburgh to 23 markers.
Unfortunately, the Steelers offense was no match for the high-powered Las Vegas Raiders passing attack in Week 2.
Diontae Johnson did have 105 yards but did not score a touchdown.
Rookie running back Najee Harris caught their lone touchdown pass of that game, and he finished with 43 receiving yards.
NAJEE HARRIS GETS HIS FIRST NFL TOUCHDOWN 🙌 pic.twitter.com/edZXy5glcU
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 19, 2021
But while their games brought about different results, some troubling trends persist.
The Steelers are still the NFL’s worst running team despite drafting Harris in the first round of the 2021 draft.
While it is early to bestow a verdict on Harris’ rookie season, it’s evident that he alone cannot solve Pittsburgh’s rushing woes.
Poor blocking from their offensive linemen makes them the NFL’s worst run offense yet again.
They were fortunate to make the playoffs last season despite producing a paltry 84.4 rushing yards per game.
Two games into the new season, and they are averaging only 57 per match.
Najee Harris TOSSED a man. pic.twitter.com/qs3SyHOmiP
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 19, 2021
Pittsburgh had 75 rushing yards in their 2021 debut, while Buffalo generated 117.
Likewise, they only made 39 yards on the ground against 52 by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Harris is yet to reach 50 rushing yards in one game, and they had to be creative with the former Alabama standout to get him more involved on offense.
Their 35 rushing attempts per game and 3.3 yards per carry both rank 30th in 2021.
Passing Game Affected
The lack of a potent running game makes the Steelers a one-dimensional offense.
While Roethlisberger’s experience will help them get completions and touchdowns, their offense becomes predictable.
Opposing cornerbacks can jam their receivers on critical third-down situations because the run game is ineffective anyway.
The Steelers are lucky that their defense is one of the NFL’s best.
Otherwise, the game against Buffalo might be a blowout.
Pittsburgh didn't blitz Josh Allen often Sunday but when they did, they creatively used four as "safe" pressure to confuse the Bills.
Assignments:
NT – Loop to contain as ROLB drops
LDE – Slant to A gap
LB (Ingram) – Loop to B Gap
NCB – Blitz/containhttps://t.co/DPHaKnwWbu pic.twitter.com/bVzbdn2YG0— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 15, 2021
The Bills had 254 passing yards while converting eight of 18 third downs and dominating time of possession.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh had no chance against the Raiders offense, which leads the league in passing.
Derek Carr had 382 yards and two touchdowns against the Steelers, and Henry Ruggs had 113 yards and a touchdown catch.
The Steelers offense can bounce back from these subpar performances if they defeat division rival Cincinnati in Week 3.
In past years, everyone would chalk up the victory for Pittsburgh already.
Bengals Week #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/NEqEkhPAis
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 22, 2021
But even a win against the Bengals is no longer guaranteed because Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase can torch the Steelers secondary.
Likewise, the Bengals are ninth in passing yards allowed, giving up 209.5 per game.
They are also 11th on run defense with 95 yards allowed per contest.
Ironically, the Steelers are at number ten with 84.5 per game.
Unfortunately, that number might increase given the injuries of Watt, Carlos Davis, Tyson Alualu, and Alex Highsmith.
A look at player injuries and practice participation for Week 3. @UPMCSportsMed https://t.co/6zRMTGPoHj
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 22, 2021
Injuries to Joe Haden and Justin Layne will also hurt their pass defense.
With their defensive unit not 100 percent, it’s time for the Steelers offense to step up and do the heavy lifting.
Otherwise, the Bengals might devour them at Heinz Field.
