Steelers aim to fix offensive struggles
The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost two straight games. This, after improving to 11-0 less than three weeks ago.
In both defeats, to Washington and Buffalo, the Steelers looked discombobulated on offence — particularly in running the ball.
They gained just 68 yards on 31 rushes. That's a paltry 2.2 yards per crack. There's a good chance the Steelers can improve upon that on Monday night, when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati ranks fifth worst in the NFL in defending the run, allowing 92.3 yards per game.
“We talk about running the ball, and efficient runs are four-plus yards,” Steelers offensive co-ordinator Randy Fichtner said.
The Pittsburgh attack also has been undermined by a rash of drive-killing dropped passes in recent weeks — which number a hard-to-believe 17 this month alone. On the season, the Steelers lead the NFL with 27 err-ials.
That issue isn't as concerning as the Steelers' failure to take pressure off all aspects of the passing game by fielding a potent rushing attack. The Steelers since Week 7 rank dead last in the league in rush yards per game and yards per carry. For a team that prides itself on its Steeltown toughness, that's an embarrassment.
The banged-up Bengals don't figure to put up much of a contest, frankly, and not just because of their poor run defence.
They're 2-10-1 on the season and have lost five in a row, including all three since their No. 1 overall draft pick, quarterback Joe Burrow, went down for the season with a mangled knee on Nov. 22.
Second-year third-stringer Ryan Finley makes his first start of the season at QB, what with Burrow's top backup, Brandon Allen, unable to play with a knee injury.
Finley lost all three starts a year ago, and this season in backup duty has completed just 10 of 19 passes for 75 yards and two interceptions.
A lot was made about Pittsburgh's possible march toward history and an undefeated season, just as much is being discussed locally about the Steelers' possible playoff path to Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7 in Tampa.
Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward sounded miffed about such talk this past week, and sure didn't sound like someone who was either taking the Bengals lightly, or whose energies were directed anywhere but at this game.
“We gotta pump the brakes on the playoffs, man,” Heyward said.
“We gotta take care of our business, one game at a time. Too much we've talked about, ` We need to do this to go to the playoffs, we need to do that.' Man, we just need to win a game.”