Preseason Week 3, What to Watch For

By Matt Papiernik
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Updated: August 25, 2019

By Matt Papiernik, @Matt_Papiernik on Twitter
SteelerNation.com

As the Pittsburgh Steelers head out into their third preseason game, there are several things to keep an eye on. Many people only pay attention to the third preseason game as this is considered the “dress rehearsal” for the regular season. This will also be the first chance to get a look at the majority of the veteran starters, as many of them were held out of the other preseason games.

The Battle to be Ben’s Backup

This title has been shared throughout the preseason, and for good reason. Ben Roethlisberger will likely play a good portion of the first half, if not all of it. Whoever comes out to relieve him after halftime is likely going to be the number two quarterback throughout the regular season. If Mason Rudolph is given these honors, it may be a sign that the end is near for Joshua Dobbs.

Offensive Skill-Player Snap Share

At both the wide receiver and running back positions, there are questions surrounding what percentage of the snaps certain players will be given. Obviously, JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner are going to be on the field for the majority of the teams offensive plays, but there are definitely questions how the wide receivers behind JuJu will share #2 and #3 duties, and how much Jaylen Samuels eats into James Conner’s workload. I expect Donte Moncrief to play a lot more than people expect, and for Samuels to be sharing the field with Conner more than we saw last season.

Linebacker Timeshare

The Pittsburgh Steelers added both Mark Barron and Devin Bush this off-season, but it is likely one will outshine the other and take the majority of the playing time away from the other. However, this doesn’t mean that different roles between their early down defense and their nickel defense, won’t develop for these two throughout the year to match their skill-set. Bush is definitely the one many fans and coaches will be rooting for, but Barron has the upper hand in knowing what is needed to be a three-down player in this league.

Comment below and let me know what you will be looking for tonight as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Tennessee Titans!

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