FOLLOW-UP: Pittsburgh Steelers: Nothing To Worry About

Sep 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (92) is congratulated by teammates after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

I had written an article a couple of days ago saying that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be of no major pressing concern for the Baltimore Ravens. This was based off of my prior observance of the Steelers’ action in the third and most important preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. In that game the Steelers were lifeless and offered no punch to their game.

Frankly, I wrote that article for two reasons. One, because the Steelers had indeed looked terrible. And secondly, because I was trying to be provocative. After the week we have had as Baltimore sports fans, we needed something. Anything to fire us up was a good thing.

The most important thing was that I was right. Dead on. That Steelers group was lifeless, punchless and soulless. They are frankly an old and bad team.

Now the Steelers do have talent and will win games. They could make it close to the 8-8 record they have had the last two years but those predicting a division title for the Steelers are going to look silly. Since we will have to play them again this year let’s spend some time looking at the individual pieces of the Pittsburgh Steelers and how things will play out for them:

• Ben Roethlisberger is still a good quarterback. His throws are much more suspect than in years past and his receiver depth is questionable. He will still be hard to bring down (look at how hard it was for Dumervil to get him down last night.) and will help win some games the team shouldn’t have really won. You really can’t rule him out.
• Steelers defense. Meh. They are just not that good. Troy Polamalu flies around hitting things left and right, but then clearly misses the big plays. This is not the “steel curtain” or any variation of such a defense. This is the weak link of this team.
• Antonio Brown. Brown is clearly a star receiver. He and Ben will hook up this year for many yards and touchdowns. But can they win games just with him? Doubtful.
• Le’Veon Bell is vastly improved from last year and may be the running back that the Steelers need. But will he win them many games? Doubtful.
• Mike Tomlin. He clearly is not the best in-game coach. He lacks a clear ability to decipher where and how the game is flowing and make adjustments. His early success looks more and more because he took over a talented Bill Cowher-led squad.
• Todd Haley. The offense is improved and although I really want to question his abilities, he and Ben seem to have found a common ground on how to run an offense.

8-8. That is what the Steelers can hope for, if they are lucky. They look more likely to be a 6-10 team.