A Short Week Requires A Short Memory For the Steelers
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
After a lackluster performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Pittsburgh Steelers sit at 4-3 with a pivotal game against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football.
Pittsburgh failed to execute on both sides of the football at a high enough level to even threaten the Jaguars. Coming off of two consecutive wins, it was a missed opportunity with three-straight home games that could have elevated Pittsburgh to the top of the division.
With a short week comes a quick opportunity for atonement for the Black and Gold. With only three days to prepare, there is no time to dwell on the Jacksonville game. Having a short memory can work to Pittsburgh’s advantage as they get set to take on the Titans.
Defensive Mentality
The defense played pretty passively against Jacksonville. While they never allowed the Jaguars to get out of reach, they played scared of giving up the big play, which they ultimately did anyway. That will need to change versus Tennessee.
Will Levis is making his 2nd start after an impressive debut.
This was a dime by Will Levis. Great pocket presence, too. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/LdzY7vDfuF
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) October 31, 2023
It is imperative for the Steelers to get pressure and mix up coverages to confuse the rookie QB. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith need to come ready to spook the first-year signal caller who was prone to making mistakes under pressure during his time at Kentucky.
Levis has seemed to find a nice chemistry with former All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins. Last week they torched the Atlanta Falcons to the tune of four catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns.
4 catches. 3 for TDs.
Hop still doing what Hop does. @DeAndreHopkins pic.twitter.com/awEJUY6TNh
— NFL (@NFL) October 31, 2023
Bracket coverage from time to time may be the answer. However, that becomes tricky with All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick out for this game with a hamstring.
With all that said, the Titans’ offense starts and stops with Derrick Henry. In his version of a down year, he’s still averaging 4.4 yards per carry — and that’s in an offense that has had poor quarterback play for most of the season.
Allocating more people to the line of scrimmage will be necessary given the struggles the Steelers have had against the run.
Quick-Start Offense
The most redundant theme about the Pittsburgh offense this year is that they are getting off to slow starts. Yes, Matt Canada has a lot to do with that with his predictable play calling. But the execution has also been an issue.
The Titans defense ranks 22nd in the league, down from a year ago. While they made life miserable for the Atlanta Falcons’ first-year starter Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke came in the second half and ripped the Tennessee defense apart.
Pittsburgh should spreading the field and run the football between the tackles. This is the blocking scheme the Steelers have been their most successful at. Najee Harris has to stop dancing in the backfield and hit the hole aggressively. This has been a problem all season that fans want to just pawn off on Canada.
Kenny Pickett is a game-time decision. Regardless if it’s him or Mitchell Trubisky as QB1 on Thursday, they have to get off to a fast start. That means being aggressive and accurate with the football. With Diontae Johnson back in the fold, the field has become much wider. Canada and the quarterbacks must use it.
The Offensive Line Must Stand Up
Regardless of what people think of Canada, the issue with the Steelers’ offense is the sporadic play from the offensive line. Yes, Pickett has been bad at times, especially with accuracy and decision making. We all know Canada’s issue with playcalling. But the line has been abysmal.
Mason Cole, Dan Moore Jr., and Chukwuma Okorafor struggled last year and seem to have regressed this season. This is a chance to right the ship against a good Titans defensive front seven.
It must start with protection. Jeffrey Simmons is the real deal at defensive tackle and must be contacted with a double team. That means other guys are going to have to win their one-on-one matchups for the offense to function.
Pittsburgh lacked physicality against the Jaguars. That can’t be the case on Thursday night. Canada would be wise to use the pass to set up the run, as Tennessee prides itself on stopping the ground attack. But there are running lanes to be had, especially between the tackles. With an emphasis on doubling at the point of attack, and some help from running backs to hit the play hard downhill, Pittsburgh should be able to see some success out of the backfield.
To say this is a pivotal game is an understatement. While Jacksonville has proven to be one of the better teams in the NFL, the Steelerslet one get away by not getting that win. Having a short memory would serve them well on such a short week and in such an important contest.
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