As the Pittsburgh Steelers navigate their preseason schedule, offensive struggles have surfaced as a significant concern. Over the span of two preseason games, the Steelers' offense has amassed only 15 points, highlighting a critical area that needs improvement.
Saturday night’s 9-3 loss accentuated these challenges, and an analysis of the game reveals that only three of those points were scored with quarterback Justin Fields on the field. Fields' ability to establish a consistent offensive rhythm was severely hampered by a persistent lack of pass protection.
Pass Protection Issues
Russell Wilson's performance against the Buffalo Bills further underscored these difficulties. Across five series, Wilson was unable to direct a single scoring drive and was sacked three times. Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin stressed the detrimental impact of inadequate pass protection. "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 stated.
The first three or so series of the game were marred by three-and-out drives, a scenario that prevents the team from establishing any rhythm. Tomlin remarked, "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."
Inexperience and Injuries
One glaring issue pinpointed during the Bills game was the inexperience of Broderick Jones, who was moved to right tackle. Greg Rousseau from the Bills capitalized on this inexperience, exacerbating the Steelers' offensive woes. Although Fields was sacked once, the frequent collapses in the offensive line were a recurring theme. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig’s potential season-ending torn rotator and rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu’s current injury further deepen these concerns, limiting the team's options to solidify the offensive line.
Coaching Perspective
Tomlin did not mince words regarding the need for improvement. He emphasized, "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general." The head coach was candid with his players about the necessity for enhanced performance in this critical area. "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 reiterated.
Outlook on the Preseason Finale
With the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions on the horizon, Tomlin will be closely evaluating the offensive line's performance. This evaluation will play a crucial role in determining which quarterback will start in Pittsburgh's final preseason game. Given the current state of the offense and the need for robust pass protection, these decisions will be pivotal as the Steelers seek to rectify their offensive challenges before the regular season kicks off.
The coming days will be critical for the Steelers as they look to address these pressing issues and strive to build a cohesive and effective offensive unit. The lessons learned from these preseason games will undoubtedly shape the team's strategy and decisions moving forward.