The Steelers can mask most of their weaknesses, but the defense has issues with
coverage and the offense needs more schematic consistency to reach its potential.
67
× PITTSBURGH’S OFFENSE REMAINS
POTENT BUT INCONSISTENT. Ben Roeth-
lisberger can play with either perfect dis-
cipline or haphazard timing—there’s no
predicting which from down to down.
The passing game can
use clever intertwined
routes underneath or fall
into basic iso routes out of
spread-empty formations.
Despite an outstanding line
and a diverse ground game,
this offense is more about
making individual plays
than establishing a rhythm.
The Steelers could get away
with this when Antonio
Brown and Le’Veon Bell
were still on the roster, but
now their skill players are
good but not great, and the schematic
inconsistency is more damaging.
× JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER FILLS ANTONIO
BROWN’S SHOES. The third-year receiv-
er is better inside than outside, but he’s
potent anywhere, and is great at mak-
ing contested catches. Like Brown in
2018, Smith-Schuster aligns all over
the formation, including by himself on
the weak side, where he influences cov-
erages by commanding double teams.
× A ROOKIE CORNERBACK BECOMES
IMP ORTA NT. Pittsburgh has a solid
traveling No. 1 corner in Joe Haden, but
concerns about a No. 2 persist. Former
Chief Steven Nelson is porous in matchup
coverage, and Artie Burns, entering his
fourth season, is officially a first-round
bust. The Steelers wants to play more man,
but that’s only possible if third-round pick
Justin Layne, a physical press-cover artist
from Michigan State, steps up.
× THE INTERIOR PASS COVERAGE
IMPROVES. Slot man Mike Hilton remains
disruptive, including as a
blitzer. With the addi-
tions of first-round rookie
Devin Bush (Michiga n)
and ex-Ram Mark Barron,
the Steelers have athletic
pass-defending linebackers
who enable them to return
to their two-’backer nickel
package. That’s a good
thing, because they lack
the secondary depth to keep
playing a three-safety dime.
× PITTSBURGH’S DEFENSE
REMAINS A TOP 10 UNIT.
The secondary’s flaws are mostly hidden
by one of the NFL’s most athletic fronts.
The biggest names are on the edge (T.J.
Watt and Bud Dupree), but the brilliance
is inside: Linemen Stephon Tuitt and
especially Cameron Heyward are power-
ful, sound technicians, while Javon Har-
grave is the rare nosetackle who can be
featured on stunts and twists, includ ing
against the run.
WHAT LIES AHEAD
SI’S 2019
PREDICTION
10 – 6
2018 RECORD 9-6-1
SEP T. 8
@ NE
SEP T. 15
VS. SEA
SEP T. 22
@ SF
SEP T. 30
VS. CIN
OC T. 6
VS. BAL
OC T. 1 3
@ LAC
OC T. 2 0
BYE
OC T. 28
VS. MIA
NOV. 3
VS. IND
NOV. 10
VS. LAR
NOV. 14
@ CLE
NOV. 24
@ CIN
DEC. 1
VS. CLE
DEC. 8
@ ARI
DEC. 15
VS. BUF
DEC. 22
@ N YJ
DEC. 29
@ BAL
St
re
ng
th
QB
7
RB
27
WR/TE
17
OL
3
FRONT 7
6
DB
22
FRE
D^ V
UIC
H^ (
BU
SH)
;^ DA
VID
E.^
KLU
THO
PITTSBURGH
