The Pittsburgh Steelers have not been a great offensive team over the last four weeks of the 2024 season. In those four losses the team has failed to score more than 17 points in any of the contests, and it is difficult to win in the NFL if an offense cannot put at least 20 points on the board. The offense for the Steelers has become predictable and inconsistent, while the group has struggled with turnovers and making routine plays. The unit will need to iron out a few issues ahead of Pittsburgh's playoff game.
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Steelers' Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith working in their first training camp together ahead of the 2024 season.
The Steelers have not been able to find success in any area on offense. The running game has been atrocious at times which in turn has failed to open up the passing game. Quarterback Russell Wilson has struggled while the offensive line as barely given him any time to throw. Nothing is clicking for the unit. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith hasn't done his players any favors. The play caller has become extremely predictable and is failing to adjust as games go on.
Steelers called a run play on their first 9 first-down plays of the game and 12 of 15 until the Bengals took 19-7 lead with 11 minutes left in the game.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) January 5, 2025
The three first-down non run plays in that span came when the Steelers got the ball with 80 seconds left in the first half…
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly explained that Smith called a run play on the first nine first downs of the game. This makes the offense extremely predictable, and the defense of the Cincinnati Bengals was able to quickly catch on to this trend. This is similar to tipping pitches in baseball. To make matters worse, Smith didn't decide to change his ways until Pittsburgh faced a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter and needed to start to battle the clock.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith celebrate a win after a home game during the 2024 season.
This may not entirely be Smith's fault. While the casual NFL fan likely knows Smith has an affinity for running the ball, so does Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin comes from a defensive background, but he likely still has a say in how the offense is run. He wants to come out and run the football, which is shown by the inability to adjust to failure on the ground throughout the football game.
Pittsburgh had three of their first down runs break off for over eight yards, but if those plays are taken away Kaboly explained that the offense gained just 12 yards on nine carries. This is not a recipe for success as it immediately takes the offense off-schedule when it comes to getting a first down. This trend for the offense didn't change until the team was facing a 12-point deficit, which is absolutely despicable and should be considered coaching malpractice.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' George Pickens runs a route in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2024 season.
Steelers' George Pickens' Frustrations Can Surely Be Understood
George Pickens did not play a good game on Saturday night. He didn't record a single yard and had three drops. He is often hated on by the fanbase for the way he acts on the field and on the sideline which often stems from frustration, but that frustration can be understood. Every other NFL team schemes plays up for their top wide receiver, but the Steelers are living in the past.
Pickens saw one target in the first half of the game against Cincinnati, meanwhile Pittsburgh was running the ball on every first down. In order to keep the defense guessing the coaching staff needs to make more of an effort to get the third-year receiver involved, even if this does end up being his last season with the organization.
Do you think Smith will be more innovative in the playoffs? Let us know in the comments below!
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