Steelers Face Tough Road Ahead After 6-2 Start

Upcoming Challenges in the AFC North

The AFC North remains one of the toughest divisions for the Steelers to navigate. The Ravens are just one game behind at 5-3, while Cincinnati holds a 3-5 record and Cleveland stands at 2-6. Baltimore, Cleveland, and Cincinnati share identical 1-1 records in divisional play. The Steelers’ playoff hopes largely depend on their performance in these crucial head-to-head battles. Despite any record, no AFC North matchup is a free victory. 

Other Matchups

Out of the bye week the Steelers will have to head to Washington, whose start has been equally impressive. Standing at 6-2 with OROY frontrunner Jayden Daniels playing at high level provides an interesting challenge. The other two matchups include traveling to Philadelphia to play the Eagles, and hosting the Chiefs on Christmas. In a span of 10 days, the Steelers will matchup against the aforementioned teams, with the Ravens sandwiched in between. This has to be one of the toughest stretches across the NFL this season. With the upcoming games feature an abundance of playoff teams, the Steelers will either sink or swim.

Offensive improvements under Russell Wilson

Wilson and George Pickens have developed a strong connection that works well on the field. Pickens production has picked up to 92.5 yards per game in Wilson’s starts. Russell Wilson’s first two starts provided a new dimension to the Steeler offense. The offense shows these major improvements in generating explosive plays resulting in 20+ yards or more. With Najee Harris’ complimentary running, the play-action usage has spiked making room for these big plays. 

Red Zone and Third Down Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive performance in the 2024 NFL season has been a tale of two crucial metrics: Red Zone efficiency and Third Down conversions. In terms of Red Zone scoring, the Steelers currently rank 28th in the league with a touchdown rate of 46.4%, placing them near the bottom of the NFL. This subpar performance inside the 20-yard line has significantly hampered their scoring potential. To improve their Red Zone offense, the Steelers need to focus on play-calling variety, better utilization of their receiving threats, and enhanced execution in tight spaces. 

Equally concerning is their Third Down efficiency, where they convert 39.4% of attempts, ranking 14th in the league. While this places them in the middle of the pack, there’s substantial room for improvement. Enhancing their third down conversion rate would allow the Steelers to sustain drives, control time of possession, and create more scoring opportunities. Key areas for improvement include better protection schemes, more effective route combinations, and improved decision-making from the quarterback position. By addressing these critical aspects of their offense, the Steelers can boost their overall team performance and climb the NFL rankings in these vital statistical categories.