The 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers really had a tale of two seasons, opening with 11 straight wins but then dropping five of six down the stretch, including a shocking home playoff loss to Cleveland in the wild card round that saw the Browns open up a 28-0 lead at Heinz Field in the first quarter. The Steelers were able to muster 37 points in that loss, but in the four regular-season losses that Pittsburgh posted, they only broke the 20-point barrier once as the offense stagnated. It didn’t help that the team never really had a true bye week, with COVID-19 rescheduling that included midweek games taking the two-week rest period away. What can the Steelers do with an aging Ben Roethlisberger returning at quarterback?
Take a look at our in-depth analysis of the Pittsburgh offense as you consider your online betting on NFL action for the autumn.
NFL News: Pittsburgh Steelers Offense Betting Analysis
Time is running out on Ben Roethlisberger’s Pittsburgh era
Big Ben returns for his 18th season, and he had to accept a major restructuring of his deal so that the team could put together a serviceable roster within an AFC Central that has four scary teams. The Steelers did lose a number of free agents, but they were able to cobble together a squad that could contend in the division and will definitely make it difficult for the eventual division winner.
Roethlisberger is now 39, and you can see the signs of aging in his reduced mobility and his propensity for getting rid of the ball more quickly on shorter routes. His average yards per attempt last season (6.3) was the lowest in his career. Matt Canada has moved up from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator, and his philosophy that included adding motion before the snap and jet sweeps will remain; the hope that his aggressive play-calling will help keep opposing defenses on their heels.
The Steelers are stacked at wide receiver
While Roethlisberger’s time may be winding down, he has four terrific targets in 2021. Chase Claypool had a terrific rookie season that featured a four-touchdown day against Philadelphia. He is tall, strong and fast, and he can line up anywhere, even taking handoffs out of motion. JuJu Smith-Schuster looked headed out the door via free agency but ended up inking a one-year extension. James Washington has the speed to win fly routes and score big bombs, and Diontae Johnson was Big Ben’s favorite target last year, with 144 balls coming his way.
The running game needs to improve
In 2020, Pittsburgh was dead last in the NFL in running the ball and were in the league’s bottom five all year long in 2019. The Steelers addressed that by drafting Najee Harris out of Alabama, the first running back taken in the draft. He can also catch passes out of the backfield, as he caught 70 balls for 729 yards and 11 scores the last two years at Alabama. The Steelers also have Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell Jr at tailback, and all three of these runners can serve as check-downs.
What about the O-line?
The line was ragged last season, and now it comes into 2021 as one of the youngest in the league. Chukwuma Okorafor had his first season as a starter in 2020 at right tackle, and with Alejandro Villaneuva leaving, Okorafor will move to left tackle. Pro Bowler David DeCastro left after nine years, so the team inked Trai Turner to take his place at right guard. Zach Banner is returning from an injury last season and, despite just two career starts, is the favorite to snag the right tackle job. Center Maurkice Pouncey retired, and rookie Kendrick Green looks like the top replacement choice. So the line will have to mesh together quickly to open holes and protect Big Ben.
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