A well-known Invoice Parcells’ quote involves thoughts when assessing the tide condition of the Steelers. The Corridor of Status professor as soon as stated, “you are what your record says you are,” and that quote unquestionably applies to the Steelers who, regardless of some observable flaws, are 3-2 and atop the AFC North section standings. 

The Steelers’ first 5 video games have been a combined bag of effects. All over that span, Pittsburgh used to be blown out two times however used to be additionally at the successful facet of 3 alike video games. Maximum lately, the Steelers overcame a 10-0 lack to put up a 17-10 win over the rival Ravens that incorporated large performs in all 3 levels. It wasn’t nice-looking, but it surely used to be enough quantity to get the activity accomplished, which might in the end be the tale of the 2023 Steelers. 

Pittsburgh must shore issues issues up whether it is to stay in first playground within the AFC North, on the other hand. In particular, it must enhance on offense upcoming being at or related the base of the league in numerous divisions on that facet of the ball. 

Because the Steelers input their bye day, listed here are our grades for the unlit and gold via 5 video games. 

Offense: D 

The place do we commence? The Steelers’ offense has woefully underperformed in near to each and every imaginable approach during the first 5 video games. The unit is ultimate within the NFL in crimson zone potency, twenty fourth on 1/3 downs and has scored simply 5 touchdowns to this point. The offense’s efficiency has resulted in a mountain of complaint being put on Matt Canada, who throughout his week in Pittsburgh hasn’t ever perceptible his offense achieve 400 or extra yards in a contest. 

The offensive crease has been the most important sadness. It has allowed 14 sacks of Kenny Pickett and has struggled to detectable up constant working lanes for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. In particular, the internal of Pittsburgh’s crease has struggled regardless of the offseason acquisition of former Eagles starter Isaac Seumalo. Thankfully, the continuing expansion of rookie Broderick Jones must aid Pittsburgh’s offensive crease flip issues round. 

Pittsburgh’s problems at the crease has made it hardened to guage the working backs. However something this is sunlit is that the Steelers’ working contest has in large part been extra environment friendly with Warren within the backfield. Warren’s 79 all-purpose yards on Sunday, for instance, performed a key position in Pittsburgh’s come-from-behind win. Warren has a sooner outdoor blast than Harris, and that makes him a better choice so long as the crease proceed to have problems growing holes between the tackles. 

The Steelers’ passing contest used to be confronted with early distress upcoming Diontae Johnson injured his hamstring in Past 1. With Johnson out, the Steelers have struggled to seek out somebody to fill his void. It didn’t aid issues when settingup tight finish Pat Freiermuth sustained an shock in Past 4. 

Regardless of those losses, the Steelers’ receivers made 3 large performs that had an immediate lead to two of the crew’s 3 wins: George Pickens’ 71-yard rating in opposition to Cleveland, Calvin Austin’s 73-yard landing catch in opposition to Las Vegas and Pickens’ 41-yard, game-winning landing catch in opposition to Baltimore. Making large performs used to be one thing the Steelers sought after do extra of this season, they usually’ve been in a position to do this (to a point) to this point. 

Austin and Pickens have had their moments, however the Steelers want extra manufacturing from Allen Robinson II and tight finish Connor Heyward, who used to be incorporated extra within the contest plan this generation weekend with Freiermuth out. Johnson’s anticipated go back for Past 7 will undoubtedly aid, too. 

This brings us to Pickett who, like Canada, has additionally come underneath scrutiny together with his play games throughout the season’s first 5 video games. Pickett hasn’t been helped through Pittsburgh’s offensive crease and accidents to Johnson and Freiermuth, however he hasn’t helped issues through preserving onto the ball too lengthy from time to time and lacking some makable throws. 

Pickett has, on the other hand, proven indicators of expansion since Pittsburgh’s Past 1 loss to San Francisco. He’s deep ball accuracy has been forged, and he seems to be gaining again his self assurance. A greater working contest and an advanced contest plan would proceed a ways in serving to him transferring ahead. It might additionally receive advantages Pickett to proceed to paintings on his chemistry with Johnson, who has but to catch a landing go from the second-year quarterback. 

Protection: B+ 

Up to now, the Steelers’ protection is in large part appearing as anticipated. Month it is probably not an elite unit (but), Pittsburgh’s protection has been the energy of the crew to this point and is the principle reason the Steelers recently top the North. 

In scale down, the Steelers’ energy of protection is their skill to hurry the passer. When they may be able to get to the quarterback, just right issues generally occur. In the event that they don’t, which used to be the case in Houston and for almost all of the 49ers’ contest, the consequences in most cases aren’t just right. 

Pittsburgh’s protection used to be compelled to triumph over the lack of six-time Professional Bowl defensive take on Cam Heyward in Past 1. Month Heyward is neglected, the Steelers have quite triumph over his loss with the emergence of rookie Keeanu Benton, second-year participant DeMarvin Leal and third-year veteran Isaiahh Loudermilk. Pittsburgh’s defensive crease used to be no less than partially chargeable for a number of large runs allowed throughout the season’s first few weeks however had been higher in fresh weeks. The D-line were given a large play games this generation Sunday when Larry Ogunjobi’s compelled fumble of Justice Hill arrange Pittsburgh’s first issues. 

The Steelers’ remodeled within linebacker corps has had a up to date building. Kwon Alexander, a former Professional Bowler who joined the Steelers throughout the primary day of coaching camp, is now grouped into each settingup ILB spots along Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts. Alexander earned the promotion upcoming tallying six tackles (3 for loss) and a sack throughout Sunday’s win over Baltimore. 

Outdoor linebacker is the energy of the Steelers’ roster. Pittsburgh possesses arguably the most productive OLB duo within the NFL in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Each avid gamers scored touchdowns in Pittsburgh’s Past 2 win over Cleveland and feature a mixed 10 sacks, 4 compelled fumbles, 3 fumble cures and an interception to this point. Markus Yellowish has confirmed to be a decent extra with two sacks of his personal. 

Like ILB, Pittsburgh’s secondary has additionally long gone via some adjustments. Newcomer Patrick Peterson has had his ups and downs however has in large part been a favorable drive within the secondary. The similar can also be stated of fellow settingup cornerback Levi Wallace, who leads the Steelers in interceptions. Search for Joey Porter Jr. to proceed to get extra reps on protection within the coming weeks, particularly upcoming his large interception off Lamar Jackson this generation Sunday. 

You’ll be able to’t communicate in regards to the Steelers’ protection with out speaking about Minkah Fitzpatrick. In a similar way to 2021, Fitzpatrick needed to center of attention much less on playmaking this season and extra on run backup. That are supposed to exchange as Fitzpatrick continues to create a rapport with fresh settingup robust protection Keanu Neal and extra Damontae Kazee. Usually, the secondary will receive advantages through having extra enjoy with one every other because the season continues. That can most probably top to much less spill performs giving up and not more large video games from opposing superstar receivers, which has been a subject to this point. 

Particular groups: A- 

Pittsburgh has in large part had good fortune on this section. Chris Boswell has but to leave out a kick, and Pressley Harvin III used to be having the most productive yr of his occupation earlier than getting injured. Brad Wing, who hadn’t performed in a familiar season contest in just about six years previous to Past 4, crammed in admirably for Harvin the generation two weeks. 

The Steelers’ particular groups got here up with a plethora play games Sunday when Miles Killebrew’s prohibited punt led to a security. It used to be the primary of 4 unanswered rankings for the Steelers, who overcame Gunner Olszewski’s fumbled punt go back overdue within the contest when Porter picked off Jackson finally zone. 

Training: C+

Give Mike Tomlin and his group of workers credit score for the advance of a number of younger avid gamers who’ve stepped up in fresh weeks (i.e. Jones, Porter, Benton, and so on.). Danny Smith’s particular groups devices had been in large part forged. Teryl Austin’s protection used to be excellent in Pittsburgh’s 3 weeks however struggled in losses to the 49ers and Texans. The protection didn’t play games neatly in the ones video games, however the offense’s rarity of good fortune in each outings didn’t aid issues. 

The principle explanation why for Pittsburgh’s reasonable training grade is because of the underperforming offense. Pittsburgh’s receivers aren’t getting a lot official separation, the offensive linemen aren’t executing their assignments on a constant foundation and the offense remains to be looking for its identification. Are those fixable problems? Sure, however the Steelers wish to cure them and cure them speedy if they’re going to stay in first playground within the North. 

For all of the complaint he won following the 2 blowout losses, Tomlin merits equivalent credit score for his crew’s performances please see weeks. The Steelers are 3-2 as a result of their skill to answer distress month making large performs in key moments greater than their combatants have. That may be a tribute to the resiliency the Steelers have proven up to now, and that resiliency must proceed to lend Pittsburgh neatly because the 2023 season strikes on.