The Pittsburgh Steelers' preseason struggles on offense have become a significant concern as they inch closer to the regular season. In their first two games, the team has managed to put just 15 points on the board, an alarming sign for a squad hoping to make a deep run this year.
Saturday night’s 9-3 loss brought these offensive issues into sharp focus. Highlighting the difficulties faced by the Steelers, only three of their 15 points came while Justin Fields was on the field. A persistent lack of pass protection hindered Fields' ability to establish any sort of consistent offensive rhythm. Over the course of five series, Russell Wilson could not orchestrate a single scoring drive against the Buffalo Bills and was sacked three times.
Impact of Poor Pass Protection
Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin has voiced his frustration with the poor pass protection that has plagued the team. "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 explained. The inability to protect the quarterback effectively stymied any hope of developing an offensive flow.
Tomlin 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." This early-game sputtering is crucial, as it sets the tone and limits opportunities for the offense.
Challenges on the Offensive Line
One significant issue has been the exploitation of rookie Broderick Jones, who was moved to right tackle for the game. Greg Rousseau from the Bills took full advantage of Jones' inexperience, further exposing the Steelers' vulnerability. The performance of the offensive line has left much to be desired, with Nate Herbig potentially out for the season due to a torn rotator cuff, and rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu sidelined with an injury. These absences accentuate the difficulty in forming a cohesive unit capable of protecting the quarterback.
Tomlin did not mince words regarding this issue, stating, "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general." This lack of protection has not only impacted field general Justin Fields, who was sacked once, but also the overall team performance.
Evaluating QB Performance
As the team prepares for its preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, Tomlin will closely monitor the offensive line’s performance, as it will play a significant role in his decision on who will start at quarterback. The ongoing struggles have complicated this decision-making process, but improvement is crucial if the team hopes to turn things around.
Tomlin emphasized the importance of rectifying these issues, "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." The Steelers’ ability to fix their pass protection issues could determine their success as they approach the regular season.
The final preseason game against the Lions will be a critical test for the offensive line and could offer a glimpse into whether these issues are being addressed effectively. As the Steelers strive to find stability and rhythm on the offensive side of the ball, all eyes will be on how well they manage to protect their quarterbacks and establish a consistent offensive flow.