The NFL Has a MASSIVE Pittsburgh Steelers Problem: A Deep Dive into Film Analysis

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, synonymous with toughness, success, and an unwavering fan base. However, despite a promising start to the 2023 season, a deeper dive into their performances reveals a troubling reality. Through film analysis, the Steelers’ underlying issues have been exposed, leaving many to wonder if this team can sustain success or if they are heading for a collapse.

Let’s break down the “massive problem” facing the Steelers, what the film shows, and what it means for their future.

The Steelers’ Record vs. Their Performance

On paper, the Steelers’ record suggests they’re a playoff-caliber team. They’ve been competitive in most games, eked out close wins, and kept themselves in the playoff hunt. However, the film tells a different story.

Key Issues Revealed by Film Analysis:

Anemic Offense

The Steelers’ offensive production is among the worst in the league, despite flashes of brilliance from individual players.
Play-calling Predictability: Offensive coordinator Matt Canada has been widely criticized for his unimaginative schemes and lack of adaptability. Opposing defenses often seem to know what’s coming before the snap.
Inconsistent Quarterback Play: Kenny Pickett has shown moments of poise but has struggled with accuracy, decision-making, and creating big plays.

Overreliance on Defense

Pittsburgh’s defense has been the backbone of the team, frequently bailing out the offense.


High-Stakes Turnovers: The defense’s ability to force turnovers has masked many of the team’s deficiencies. However, relying on turnovers is unsustainable, especially against better competition.
Fatigue Factor: The defense spends too much time on the field due to the offense’s inability to sustain drives, leading to late-game breakdowns.

Lack of Offensive Identity

The Steelers don’t have a clear offensive identity. Are they a run-first team? A quick-passing attack? A deep-ball threat? The lack of cohesion is evident on film.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have been effective at times in the backfield, but inconsistent blocking and questionable usage have hindered their impact.

Film Breakdown: Offense

Kenny Pickett’s Struggles

Film reveals that Pickett often fails to anticipate routes, leading to late throws or missed opportunities. His hesitation has allowed defenders to close gaps, turning potential big plays into incompletions.

Example Play:
In a recent game, Pickett had George Pickens open on a post route, but his late release allowed the safety to close the distance and break up the pass. These missed opportunities are common and costly.

Offensive Line Issues

The offensive line has shown improvement compared to past seasons, but they’re still inconsistent in pass protection and run blocking.

Pass Protection: Defensive fronts with creative blitz packages have exploited communication breakdowns, leading to unnecessary sacks.
Run Blocking: While Warren and Harris have broken tackles and created yards after contact, they’re often hit in the backfield due to poor blocking.

Film Breakdown: Defense

T.J. Watt’s Dominance

The Steelers’ defensive success starts with T.J. Watt, whose ability to disrupt plays single-handedly changes games. Watt’s mix of speed, power, and instincts allows him to dominate matchups, but he can’t do it all alone.

Secondary Weaknesses

While Minkah Fitzpatrick is a star in the secondary, the rest of the defensive backfield has been inconsistent. Opposing quarterbacks have exploited this by targeting cornerbacks in single coverage or isolating mismatches with tight ends and slot receivers.

Example Play:
In a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence repeatedly targeted Steelers’ corners on quick slants and intermediate routes, moving the chains efficiently while avoiding Watt’s pass rush.

Why This Is a “Massive Problem”

The Steelers’ problems are significant because they highlight a team that is winning in unsustainable ways. Close games and defensive heroics can only take a team so far, especially in the playoffs when every opponent is formidable.

Statistical Disparity

The Steelers rank near the bottom of the league in total offensive yards, third-down conversions, and red-zone efficiency.
Their point differential is alarmingly low for a team with a winning record, suggesting they’re skating on thin ice.

Comparisons to Other Teams

Unlike balanced teams like the Eagles or Chiefs, the Steelers’ success leans heavily on one side of the ball. History shows that teams without balance struggle to make deep playoff runs.

What Needs to Change?

If the Steelers hope to turn things around, they must address these issues immediately:

1. Revamp the Offensive Scheme

Matt Canada’s system isn’t working. Whether it’s through midseason adjustments or a complete overhaul, the Steelers need to find ways to maximize their talent. More play-action, motion, and creative formations could help jumpstart the offense.

2. Better Quarterback Play

Kenny Pickett doesn’t need to be perfect, but he must improve his decision-making and accuracy. The team should simplify the playbook to help him build confidence and make quicker reads.

3. Protect the Defense

Sustaining longer drives on offense would allow the defense to rest and perform at a high level for all four quarters. This means prioritizing short, high-percentage passes and more effective running plays.

4. Address Secondary Issues

Improving communication and schematics in the secondary is critical. The Steelers might also consider signing a free-agent cornerback to bolster depth.

Fan and Media Reaction

Steelers fans have been vocal about their frustrations, particularly with the offensive struggles. Social media is ablaze with calls for Matt Canada’s dismissal, and many are questioning whether Kenny Pickett is truly the franchise quarterback.

Meanwhile, analysts are split. Some believe the Steelers are overachieving given their talent level, while others argue that they’re wasting their potential by not addressing glaring issues.

The Road Ahead

The Steelers still have time to correct course, but the clock is ticking. With games against playoff-caliber teams on the horizon, they must find answers quickly.

Key Games to Watch:

Ravens: A matchup that could decide the AFC North.
Browns: Cleveland’s defense presents a major challenge for Pittsburgh’s struggling offense.
Chiefs: A litmus test for how the Steelers stack up against the league’s elite.

Conclusion

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ massive problem lies in their inability to balance their offense and defense. While their record might suggest a successful season, film analysis paints a different picture—one of a team teetering on the edge of collapse.

If they can address their offensive issues and maintain their defensive dominance, the Steelers have the potential to be a dangerous playoff team. But if their current trajectory continues, they risk squandering their season and raising even more questions about their future.

For now, all eyes are on Pittsburgh to see if they can solve the problems that could define their season.