As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue through their preseason schedule, offensive struggles have become an increasingly troubling issue for the team. Through the first two preseason games, the Steelers' offense has only managed to put up 15 points, raising concerns as the regular season approaches.
The team’s recent 9-3 loss on Saturday night highlighted these ongoing challenges. Of the modest 15 points accumulated over two games, merely three came while quarterback Justin Fields was on the field, a statistic that underlines the team's difficulties in establishing a consistent offensive rhythm. Ineffective pass protection has been a significant factor impeding Fields' ability to orchestrate the offense.
Russell Wilson's performance against the Buffalo Bills further illustrated these concerns. Across five series, Wilson could not lead a single scoring drive and was sacked three times, underscoring the vulnerabilities within the offensive line. The game’s early stages were particularly concerning, with head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledging that the first three drives resulted in three-and-outs, leaving no room for establishing offensive momentum.
"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 stated. "And we weren't. 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."
The lackluster performance in pass protection was a point of emphasis for Tomlin. The inexperience of Broderick Jones, who was shifted to right tackle for the game, was apparent as he struggled against Buffalo's Greg Rousseau. Justin Fields also experienced pressure, contributing to his single sack in a game marked by offensive inefficacy.
The injury woes for the Steelers compound these issues. Veteran center and guard Nate Herbig might be out for the season due to a torn rotator cuff, while rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu is also sidelined with an injury, putting further strain on an already struggling offensive line.
Regarding pass protection, Tomlin was unequivocal in his assessment. "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did -- not only in possession downs but just in general," said Tomlin. "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 looming preseason finale against the Detroit Lions now carries added significance. Tomlin's focus will be closely attuned to the offensive line's performances as he deliberates on which quarterback will start in Pittsburgh's final preseason game. The team's ability to address and overcome its pass protection deficiencies will be critical in setting a positive tone for the regular season.
With the regular season quickly approaching, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a critical juncture. Addressing the current offensive struggles and bolstering the pass protection will be essential if the team hopes to find success once the games truly start to matter.