As the Pittsburgh Steelers advance into their preseason schedule, a prominent issue has emerged: the struggles on offense. Over the course of the past two preseason games, the Steelers' offense has only managed to score 15 points, signaling a worrying trend.
On Saturday night, the team's 9-3 loss further highlighted these offensive challenges. A significant observation is that only three of those 15 points were scored while Justin Fields was on the field. His performance was significantly hindered by the persistent lack of pass protection, preventing him from establishing a consistent offensive rhythm.
A Troubled Offensive Line
Russell Wilson, despite being a seasoned quarterback, faced considerable difficulties against the Buffalo Bills. Over five series, Wilson was unable to orchestrate even a single scoring drive and was sacked three times. Head coach Mike Tomlin was vocal about the detrimental impact of inadequate pass protection. "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general," Tomlin stated.
The opening series of the game were telling. "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," Tomlin noted. These early setbacks made it difficult for the team to gain any momentum.
Injuries Piling Up
To complicate matters further, Greg Rousseau from the Bills exploited the inexperience of Broderick Jones, who was moved to right tackle for the game. Jones' struggles were evident and contributed to Justin Fields being sacked once. As if the pressures from the opposition weren't enough, the Steelers are also facing internal hurdles with injuries. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig is potentially out for the season due to a torn rotator, and rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is currently sidelined with an injury.
Tomlin's Challenge
Head coach Mike Tomlin has a considerable challenge ahead as he navigates these issues. He was candid about the team's struggles, emphasizing that the offensive line's performance is under close scrutiny as decisions are made about which quarterback will start in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions. "I was really upfront with the group about it in that regard, that can't be a problem for us. We've got to be better than we were tonight in that area," Tomlin asserted. His frustration with the lack of rhythm and the inability to win possession downs is understandable.
The coming match against the Lions will be critical for the Steelers, both to evaluate the depth of their roster and to address glaring offensive line issues. This preseason has exposed vulnerabilities that Pittsburgh must rectify before they embark on the regular season. Tomlin's observations about the team's rhythm and protection underscore the urgency of these adjustments. The hope is that with focused efforts, the Steelers can find the stability and consistency needed to turn their fortunes around.
As the clock ticks down to their final preseason test, all eyes will be on the offensive line, the injured players, and the decisions that Tomlin will make to position the team for success. The Steelers' preseason struggles are a cautionary tale, and it remains to be seen if they can pivot effectively to build a stronger offensive unit.