You never apologize for your record. Just a few years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers started out 11-0 and seemed destined for greatness. For some fans however, it felt like there was something lurking underneath the surface of the team. Indeed there was… Despite the start, the Steelers went on to lose at home in the postseason to the Cleveland Browns. That loss highlighted many of the issues and weaknesses that had been covered up by the strong start.
Fast forward to 2025. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-1 and there are plenty of teams that would trade their current records for where the Steelers sit today. The problem is that the Black and Gold have beaten two teams with a combined 1-5 record. In both of those instances, they could have very easily lost those games. In New York, it took some fortunate bounces and Chris Boswell from 60 yards out. In Foxborough, it took five takeaways and five sacks AND a late touchdown throw from Aaron Rodgers to Calvin Austin III to win by seven. If you’re a bettor, then find your best NFL Pick opportunities right here to see how they project the Steelers.
There are many fans who will choose to look the other way and be “happy” about being 2-1. I understand that but an honest and pragmatic approach is necessary here. Last week in their home loss to Seattle, they generated less than 200 years of total offense. Sunday against the Patriots, the Steelers finished with 203 total yards. Perhaps even worse is the time of possession where the Steelers have been on the short end in all three games. This is about as un-Steeler-like as any statistic could be.
This all starts up front where the offensive line continues to be a work in progress and that’s probably being polite. O-Line Coach Pat Meyer has had more than enough time to get this unit whipped into shape and the improvement seems to be minimal if at all. Is it fair to blame it on the youth of Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick? Is it fair to say Broderick Jones is still adjusting to left tackle? Has Isaac Seumalo played well below his norm? Yes, all of these things are fair to say but in my book they all point back to Meyer.
On Defense…
Defensively, it hasn’t been much better. The first two games saw the Jets and Seahawks do pretty much whatever they wanted to do. Sunday in New England, there was improvement. The five turnovers and the five sacks were hard to have any issue with. It’s also difficult to blame the defense when the offense is going ‘three and out’ over and over and over. One of the older defensive units in the league was gassed and they could hardly be blamed.
There are concerns however. The defense continues to give up long drives and they can’t seem to get off the field on third and sometimes fourth down. New England was 6/13 on third down Sunday while also going 4/5 on fourth down. Currently, the Steelers rank near the bottom of the NFL with a third down percentage of just under 50. That has to improve big time. The run defense was better yesterday and some of that was a rejuvenated Cam Heyward who easily had his best game of the season.
Opponents continue to hammer away at the left side where Jack Sawyer and Nick Herbig are trying to hold things down while Alex Highsmith deals with an ankle injury. Teams are quickly realizing that Sawyer plays run downs while Herbig comes in to rush the passer. Look for teams to start throwing on early downs to avoid dealing with the quicker and more troublesome Herbig. Both of these guys, a long with the interior, have to create ways for T.J. Watt to get to the quarterback.
The Steelers are 2-1 which is good but awaiting them is former defensive coach Brian Flores and the Vikings who just dropped a fifty-burger on the Bengals. If Pittsburgh is going to get back to the postseason then they have to win their next several games with much tougher opposition waiting in the wings.
