As the Pittsburgh Steelers' preseason rolls on, the glaring struggles on offense have become impossible to ignore. Over two preseason games, the Steelers have only managed to scrape together 15 points, painting a concerning picture for their offensive capabilities.
The team’s recent 9-3 loss highlighted these challenges even more starkly. Only three of those 15 points came with Justin Fields at the helm, emphasizing the issues that persist in the offensive unit. The lack of pass protection has been a persistent thorn in the team's side, significantly hindering Fields’ ability to establish a consistent rhythm.
Head coach Mike Tomlin was candid in assessing the situation. "It's somewhat of an incomplete study because you just don't get a chance to see them operate or us operate or us establish rhythm and personality when you're not winning possession downs," Tomlin explained. "And we weren't. The first three or so series of the game, it was three and out, and you're not going to get an opportunity to establish rhythm or play the way you'd like as an individual or a collective."
Russell Wilson, in his five series against the Buffalo Bills, failed to orchestrate a single scoring drive and was sacked three times. This added another layer to the bleak outlook currently enveloping Pittsburgh’s offense. Tomlin underscored the impact of inadequate pass protection, stating, "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general."
Inexperienced Offensive Line Exposed
The inexperience of the offensive line was evident, with Broderick Jones, shifted to right tackle for the game, struggling significantly. The Buffalo Bills’ Greg Rousseau took full advantage, exploiting Jones' inexperience to set the tone from the get-go. Justin Fields also faced his share of adversity, being sacked once during the game.
The situation has been further compounded by injuries. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig is likely out for the season due to a torn rotator cuff, a critical blow to a line that's already been under intense scrutiny. Additionally, rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is sidelined with an injury, raising more red flags about the depth and durability of the Steelers’ offensive line.
Upcoming Preseason Finale
The Steelers’ final preseason game will be against the Detroit Lions, a contest that will be crucial in shaping decisions as they move forward. With the issues in pass protection taking center stage, Coach Tomlin will be keeping a close eye on his offensive line's performance to decide on the starting quarterback for the finale. His focus on this area is imperative, given that, "We've got to be better than we were tonight in that area," he insisted after the recent loss.
As the Steelers gear up for this essential final matchup, there is a unifying recognition within the team of the urgent need for improvement. "I was really upfront with the group about it in that regard, that can't be a problem for us," Tomlin emphasized. The preseason finale offers one last chance to iron out these kinks and bring some much-needed cohesion and effectiveness to the offense before the regular season begins.
While the defensive unit has shown flashes of competence, the overarching theme for the Steelers this preseason remains their offensive struggles. The next game provides an opportunity not just for fine-tuning the offensive line but also for installing confidence and establishing a rhythm that has so far been noticeably absent. The path ahead is fraught with challenges, but there remains a window for adjustment and growth, provided the team can address its most glaring weaknesses.