The Pittsburgh Steelers have kicked off the 2024 NFL season with a peculiar stat that has fans chuckling in disbelief. With more wins than touchdowns after two weeks, the Steelers are back to basics. This unexpected start has left many scratching their heads, wondering how Mike Tomlin’s squad has managed to secure victories despite offensive struggles.
As the season unfolds, several key developments have emerged for the Steelers. The defense has shown dominance, carrying the team to success while the offense grapples with challenges. Justin Fields’ performance under center has a tactical approach to it. With ongoing debates about potential lineup changes involving the offensive line once again, the Steelers’ journey through the early weeks of the season promises to be an intriguing one to analyze.
More Wins Than Touchdowns
In a twist that’s as hilarious as it is perplexing, the Steelers have managed to secure two victories while scoring only one touchdown. This peculiar stat line has Steelers fans chuckling in disbelief as they enjoy an undefeated start to the season. The team has accumulated a mere 31 points across two games, yet they’ve held their opponents to just 16 points. This unconventional start is not just unusual; it’s historic. For the first time in Steelers’ history, they have won their first two games of the regular season with only one combined touchdown.
Their 31 combined points represent the second-lowest total in franchise history for the opening two games, surpassed only by the 1936 Pittsburgh Pirates (the team’s former name) who scored 20 points. Yet they somehow sit at 2-0 for the first time since 2020. The Steelers’ unique start places them in an exclusive club. They are now the fifth team in professional football history, from 1920 to present, to win their first two games of a season with no more than one touchdown. The last team to achieve this feat was the 2000 Detroit Lions. What makes the Steelers’ accomplishment even more remarkable is that their sole touchdown came from the defense, not the offense.
Total TDs by each undefeated NFL team:
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 16, 2024
Saints: 11
Bills: 8
Bucs: 6
Chiefs: 6
Vikings: 6
Seahawks: 5
Chargers 5
Eagles: 4
Texans: 4
Steelers: 1
NFL's 2-0 teams ranked by point differential:
— John Sigler (@john_siglerr) September 15, 2024
Saints +62
Chargers +35
Vikings +28
Bills +27
Buccaneers +21
Steelers +15
Seahawks +9
Chiefs +8
Limited Production
The Steelers’ offense has been far from prolific, struggling to finish drives. In their Week 1 victory, they managed to win without scoring a touchdown, and in Week 2, they found the end zone only once. Justin Fields, the Steelers’ quarterback, has shown flashes of potential but has yet to fully ignite the offense. We did see improvement, engineering a 12-play, 78-yard touchdown drive, converting crucial third downs and showcasing his dual-threat abilities. However, these moments of brilliance have been few and or have been called back due to penalties.
Broderick Jones Benched
Speaking of penalties, one of the more significant developments in the Steelers’ offensive struggles is Broderick Jones being a bust. He has continued his awful showing in the preseason against the Bills and it is getting worse. In Week 2, Jones was inserted into the lineup as part of a rotation with rookie Troy Fautanu. However, his performance quickly landed him in Mike Tomlin’s doghouse. Jones committed three penalties on a single drive, including a holding call that negated a brilliant 51-yard catch by George Pickens. This lack of discipline led to Tomlin pulling Jones from the game after just one drive in the rotation. It was one of the worst sequences I’ve seen from an NFL lineman in a very long time.
One of the few Broderick Jones snaps he didn't commit a penalty. Still just as bad.
— Brogan Noey (@BroganNoey) September 16, 2024
Can see Pat Freiermuth communicating with him pre-snap. Both Freiermuth and James Daniels down block man inside. Spencer Anderson will pull and take care of the edge. Calvin Austin comes in to… pic.twitter.com/3wKXc8B26V
Rookie OT Troy Fautanu in his NFL debut:
— Steelers Network (@SteelersNetwork) September 16, 2024
🔶 29 pass snaps
⭐️ 0 pressures
⭐️ 0 QB hits
⭐️ 0 sacks #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/13gN4i8LiL
The Offensive Tackle Rotation
The Steelers’ coaching staff made the questionable decision to rotate their tackles during the game against the Broncos. This strategy backfired when Jones struggled with penalties, ultimately costing him playing time and potentially his spot in the lineup.
Moving forward, the starting tackles are likely to be Dan Moore Jr. and rookie, Troy Fautanu. This leaves Jones’ role uncertain, especially as he deals with nagging arm injuries. The offensive line’s instability has contributed to the team’s overall offensive struggles, having fans impatiently waiting for the return of starting left guard, Isaac Seumalo.
Team Defense
This stingy defense has been crucial in securing victories for years now. God bless T.J Watt, being the heart of the Steelers’ defensive efforts once again. In the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, Watt showcased his game-changing abilities with two tackles for loss, three QB hits, and a sack. His presence on the field has a profound impact on the team’s fortunes, as evidenced by the Steelers’ record of 70-33-1 when Watt is in the lineup, compared to 1-10 when he’s absent. The Steelers’ defense has been impressive across the board. Minkah Fitzpatrick leads the team with 14 tackles, while the unit has accumulated 4 sacks and 4 interceptions. The defense has also forced turnovers, contributing to the team’s league-leading turnover differential of +5. That is the main catalyst of this early AFC North lead.
New additions to the secondary have made an immediate impact. DeShon Elliott and Donte Jackson, both acquired in the offseason, have each recorded an interception. Their veteran presence and playmaking abilities have strengthened a defense that finished sixth in scoring defense last season. With a mix of established stars like Watt and Fitzpatrick, alongside impactful newcomers, the Steelers’ defense is poised to be a formidable force throughout the 2024 season once again.
One Score Game Success
Tomlin’s teams are known for their resilience in close games. The coach’s ability to motivate players and make crucial in-game decisions has been a key factor in the Steelers’ success in one-score situations. This skill will be particularly important as the team faces a challenging schedule in the latter half of the 2024 season. Despite Tomlin’s past success, he faces significant challenges. The Steelers’ offense has struggled in recent years, ranking in the bottom third of the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons. To address this, Tomlin and his staff have set specific benchmarks for improvement, including scoring at least 21 points per game and achieving a red zone touchdown rate above 60%.
Coach Tomlin addresses the media following our win over the Broncos. pic.twitter.com/JqoQ3jql1M
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 15, 2024
The Home Opener
This start has been nothing short of hilarious, but fans know to tread lightly. The quarterback matchups have been Kirk Cousins returning from an Achilles injury and rookie Bo Nix. Their defense can’t save them forever and time is ticking. With more victories than touchdowns, the team has defied expectations and left spectators scratching their heads. They know this simply cannot hold up. This unusual beginning is nice buying two early games in September but they’ll have their hands full soon. Approaching their home opener, the Steelers are at least trending in the right direction. Mike Tomlin’s coaching strategy and ability to commit to running the football and control the clock have been evident. As the season unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the Steelers can build on their unconventional start and translate it into sustained success in the competitive AFC North landscape.
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