The Pittsburgh Steelers need to get their collective act together after losing to Yet another inferior team. This season they have been inconsistent on both sides of the ball, on special teams, and in play calling. On paper, and in reality, the Steelers have more explosive talent on offense than anyone. The defense has its share of playmakers as well. In light of all the talent on the roster, the Steelers are early season favorites to contend for a Super Bowl. They are going nowhere though, until they can find, and fix, what is keeping them from reaching their potential. Week four Pittsburgh Steelers keys to victory looks at what needs to happen for them to beat the Baltimore Ravens.
Week Four Pittsburgh Steelers Keys To Victory
Throughout the season, the Steelers haven’t been able find any consistency on offense. They can’t seem to figure out whether they want to run or throw the ball from game to game. Ben Roethlisberger and the passing game has been out of sync all season. He’s been forcing balls into coverage, missing quite a few open wide open targets in the process. Le’Veon Bell hasn’t found his rhythm because of a lack of commitment to the running game, and inconsistent offensive line play. Todd Haley and the offense must find continuity if they are ever going to live up to their full potential. Keith Butler must get his players on the same page if they have plans on being a top defensive unit.
Steelers Keys to Victory Number One: The Offensive Line Must Get Back to Basics
The offensive line must regain its proficiency in blocking. They are supposed to be a top five unit, instead they look unsure and hesitant. The members of the line need to fire off the snap and get after it, getting hands on people and moving them out of the way. They need to start opening holes to get Bell going. Stalemates along the line equal a loss in run blocking, which there have been to much of. Offensive success begins in the trenches, and the good news is that these issues are fixable and not a talent issue. Mike Munchak will have the front five banging heads before too long, and have his horses dictating the action once again.
Steelers Keys to Victory Number Two: Ben Roethlisberger Must Get Back to Being Ben Roethlisberger
Through the first three games, Roethlisberger looks more like a rookie than a 14 year first ballot Hall of Famer. He has forced passes into coverage, relying too much on Antonio Brown, rather than looking for the open man. It appears, on many occasions, that he has already decided where the ball is going when he breaks the huddle. Case in point was a pass to Jesse James at the goal line. It was a pass on a quick slant, with two safeties on high coverage and a linebacker underneath, that fell incomplete. Roethlisberger didn’t see Brown who was wide open in the back corner of the endzone.
Roethlisberger needs to take what the defense gives him and hit whoever is open, as he stated in his Wednesday press conference. When asked what he meant by needing to be more patient, Roetlisberger said, “I think it’s taking what the defense gives me. Sometimes I find myself almost zoning on A.B. [Antonio Brown] too much. We’ve got such a great relationship and he’s so good. I need to take what the defense gives us. Sometimes those guys that might be open, I kind of quickly go to A.B. I need to reel myself back in and just take what the defense gives us. Give us the best play possible, not just the best guy possible.” That is the key to beating the Ravens.
Steelers Keys to Victory Number Three: Todd Haley Needs Continuity in the Game Plan
Do the Steelers want to run the ball, or do they want to pass it? This is a question that’s asked during every game by everyone trying to figure out what the offense is doing? It’s impossible to tell from game to game, let alone drive to drive. There appears to be no rhyme or reason to the play calling. You run the ball to set up the pass, or pass it to set up the run. The play calling this season feels more like the “let’s see if it works”, than it does a purposeful game plan. Haley’s norm is to plan a surgical attack that is strategic in nature. He needs to return to his roots and attack if the Steelers want to beat the Ravens.
Steelers Keys to Victory Number Four: The Defense Must Finish Their Tackles
Jordan Howard was the difference in the Steelers loss to the Bears last Sunday. Howard ran over, through, and around a defense that looked listless, and was able to cut back at will. Missing tackles and failing to protect the cutback lanes has been an issue with the Steelers before, one Butler has to put to rest. This problem kept the Steelers from getting off the field on third down and directly cost them the game. Howard, who played with a separated shoulder, deserves some credit for the difficulties in bringing him down. the bottom line is, the defense is going to have to do a much better job of wrapping up if they want to beat the Ravens.
Conclusion
Events and outcomes such as those that took place at Soldier Field, will have a galvanizing effect on the Steelers locker room. They have a history of bonding through difficult times and circumstances. This team is too talented to not bounce back, and who better than to break out against than the division rival Ravens.
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