As the Pittsburgh Steelers move through their preseason schedule, glaring struggles on the offensive end have raised significant concerns. Across two preseason games, the Steelers' offense has managed to put up just 15 points, a troubling figure for a team with high aspirations.
Saturday night's 9-3 loss illuminated the challenges facing the Steelers. Of those 15 points scored in the preseason, only three came with Justin Fields on the field, demonstrating a significant issue in establishing offensive rhythm and consistency.
Pass Protection Woes
A persistent lack of pass protection has hindered Fields' ability to settle into a game rhythm. Russell Wilson, responsible for orchestrating the offense over five series against the Buffalo Bills, couldn't lead the team to a single scoring drive. The protection woes were stark, as Wilson found himself sacked three times, exposing a vulnerability that the team must address promptly.
"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," head coach Mike Tomlin emphasized. "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."
Impact on Performance
The early series struggles were clearly impactful. Tomlin highlighted that the initial three or so series ended in three-and-outs, crushing any opportunity for the team to find its footing and gain rhythm.
The game further exposed individual vulnerabilities on the line. Greg Rousseau from the Bills took full advantage of Broderick Jones' inexperience at right tackle, adding a layer of complexity to the growing concern over pass protection.
Tomlin was candid about the deficiencies, stressing, "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general. 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."
Injuries Add to the Challenge
The Steelers' offensive line problems are compounded by injuries. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig is potentially sidelined for the season with a torn rotator, while rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is currently dealing with his own injury issues. These absences are forcing the team to shuffle players, which could be contributing to the lack of cohesion on the offensive front.
Fields himself didn't escape unscathed, as he was sacked once during the game. The continuous offensive line issues cast a shadow over the performance, highlighting an area that must be rectified before the regular season commences.
Final Preseason Game
With the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions looming, Tomlin's focus will be squarely on the offensive line's performance. The coach's decision on which quarterback will start in Pittsburgh's final preseason game will be closely tied to how well the offensive line can protect and facilitate consistent offensive drives.
In summation, the Steelers' preseason has underscored the critical importance of robust pass protection. As they prepare for their last preseason test, all eyes will be on how this unit responds and whether it can provide the stability needed to support the team's offensive ambitions heading into the regular season.