As the Pittsburgh Steelers venture into their preseason schedule, the offensive struggles have shifted into sharp focus. Over two preseason games, the Steelers have managed to amass only 15 points, a glaring concern for a team aiming to fine-tune its machinery ahead of the regular season.
In their recent 9-3 defeat, the limitations of the offense were starkly highlighted. Of the 15 points scored so far, only three materialized with quarterback Justin Fields at the helm, emphasizing the persistent challenges in offensive execution.
Pass Protection Woes
A significant contributor to these offensive issues has been the lack of consistent pass protection. Fields, tasked with establishing an offensive rhythm, found himself consistently hindered by the defensive line. Russell Wilson, over five series against the Buffalo Bills, was similarly beleaguered, unable to lead a single scoring drive. His woes were compounded as he was sacked three times, a statistic that underlines the urgency of addressing the protection schemes.
Head coach Mike Tomlin did not mince words on this front, stating, "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general. [...] That can't be a problem for us. We've got to be better than we were tonight in that area."
Struggles in Offensive Rhythm
Tomlin further elaborated on the difficulty in establishing offensive rhythm due to early setbacks. "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." He added, "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."
Individual Performances and Injuries
Among the individual performances that stood out, the Bills' Greg Rousseau capitalized on the inexperience of Broderick Jones, who was shifted to right tackle for the game. Jones's baptism by fire underscored the challenges faced by a transitioning offensive line.
The stability of the offensive line took further hits with injuries to key players. Veteran center/guard Nate Herbig is potentially sidelined for the season due to a torn rotator cuff. Similarly, rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is also currently dealing with an injury, adding to the Steelers' woes in maintaining a robust offensive front.
Preparing for the Preseason Finale
Looking ahead to the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, Tomlin’s focus remains on monitoring the performance of the offensive line. The evaluations in this final game will be critical in deciding which quarterback will start, a decision laden with significant implications for the team's performance moving forward.
The Steelers find themselves at a pivotal juncture, seeking to iron out these crucial issues before the commencement of the regular season. The task at hand is formidable, but with Tomlin’s candid critique and focus on improvement, the Steelers aim to surmount these early setbacks and re-establish their offensive prowess.