I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. But I believe it bears repeating at least in terms of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The success of this team over the final seven games will be based almost strictly on the trenches.
I say this because in the last few weeks, it’s become quite evident that both the offensive line and defensive line have significant work to do. We saw a relative ‘no name’ from the New York Giants run for 145 yards. We also saw the offensive line get exposed in recent weeks especially in regards to pass protection and short yardage rushing.
Let’s Start with O-Line
Since the latter days of Ben Roethlisberger, the offense has typically been designed to get the ball out quickly. That was in part to keep the aging QB healthy but also to keep the offensive line from having to protect for any serious length of time. Things today really aren’t that much different. The offensive line needs Russell Wilson to be quick on the trigger while also protecting the 35-year old from holding the ball too long.
NOTE: Wilson’s completion percentage is significantly higher when he gets the ball out in 2.5 seconds or less versus when he holds it longer.
While there are arguments to be made that the O-Line has improved especially with two rookies on the interior, the truth is that the unit lacks in consistency. Last week was a perfect example. Besides the constant pressure the group also struggled to gain territory in short yardage situations. Again, something that has hampered them for several years running.
If Pat Meyer can’t work his ‘second half of the season’ magic then the offense is going to keep struggling for consistency and success.
And on the Defensive Side
Great defenses of the Steelers’ past always meant two things. Dominance against the run and constant pressure on the quarterback. Both of those things begin and end with the defensive line. While this year’s group has been good, they’ve also struggled at times.
The previously mentioned hiccup against the Giants was an outlier but could also prove to be a larger issue with games remaining against the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles. Both are among the top teams in the NFL in yards on the ground.
What I’ve discovered however is that the defensive line is also a bit culpable in the decline of T.J. Watt recently too. Their inability to get pressure on the interior is allowing coordinators to peel guards off to assist tackles in blocking Watt. Until Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keannu Benton and company can consistently force teams to keep that guard inside, coordinators will continue to use the tactic.
I’m not suggesting that Watt is to be 100% absolved in his lack of QB pressures and sacks, but I can’t help but notice that lack of push from the defensive line. We must also address the fact that Teryl Austin – and by proxy Mike Tomlin – can’t seem to create schematic changes to assist in getting Watt free.
When all is said and done over the next seven games there will be discussions about big plays, coaching decisions and who performed and who didn’t. But I firmly believe that all of that will be directly impacted by how the respective lines handle their business.
