It’s been an interesting year for professional sports, thanks to the global pandemic that has forced everything to slow down. Football fans have been waiting with bated breath to see whether the football season would start on time, and this past Monday, we finally got our first taste of what football in the age of corona is going to look like. The Pittsburgh Steelers look good… but can they stay healthy through this season?
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Giants
This past Monday’s game between the Steelers and the Giants didn’t just mark the beginning of the NFL season. It was also the sign that many sports fans have been waiting for, to indicate that things might be starting to return to normal. As a bonus, Ben Roethlisberger returned to the field, giving us some hope that we won’t see a repeat of the abysmal 2019 season.
After a slow first half, a massive drive from the Giants ended in a field goal that brought the score up to 19-10 Steelers. The team kept a strong defense going through the second half of the game, and while the Giants did manage to score one more touchdown, the game ended with a Steelers win over the Giants, 26-16.
Staying Healthy
Ben Roethlisberger’s return is a major cause of celebration for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. The quarterback missed the last 14 games of the 2019 season due to an injury and the resultant elbow surgery and many speculate that this could have played a large role in the team’s poor performance last year. Staying strong and healthy may prove to be a challenge for the Steelers this year.
During this first game alone, running back James Conner injured his ankle and left the second half, Stefen Wisniewski injured one of his pectoral muscles and Zach Banner injured his knee during the fourth quarter. These may be minor injuries, the sort of thing you can treat with heat or ice, but this is just the first game. Too many more like this and the Steelers might find it hard to field enough players.
Playing in the time of corona also presents unique challenges. Instead of playing for a packed stadium, the teams played for digital viewers in an effort to keep both fans and players safe. Players are having to stay in self-contained bubbles to reduce their potential for exposure, with some even opting to sit out the season so they’re not increasing their loved one’s risk of getting sick.
Looking Forward
The AFC North is going to be tough this year. The Baltimore Ravens look incredible, the Cleveland Browns are improving, and even the lowly Cincinnati Bengals have a new weapon with Joe Burrow. If the Steelers want to win the division, they can’t do it with their backups. Hopefully, the return of Big Ben will help bring the team back from the horrible season they had last year. We’ve got our fingers crossed that Roethlisberger’s return means that the 2020 season sees a deep playoff run and maybe even a Super Bowl.
