Week 2 NFL Analysis - Steelers Offense vs Bears Defense

Last time the Bears Came to Town THIS Happened...

Lets be honest.  The Steelers defense has the ability to match up with any offense.  They might not always come out on top in that battle, but they match up well.  The Steelers offense is another story.  At this point in time, the Jacksonville Jaguars might pose some SERIOUS problems for a team that has only scored 2 TDs and a total of 19 points in 2 games.  Not sure if you heard or not, but Peyton Manning threw 7 TDs in ONE GAME.  Yet, the Steelers collectively haven't scored half of that in 2 games.  Yes, these are dire straits in Pittsburgh, and I'm not referring to the classic rock band.  When a group is this bad though...it can only get better right?  Right?  RIGHT?!  Top 5 Storylines to the Steelers offense vs the Bears defense...

- Keep Big Ben Upright - The Steelers did a better job against the Bengals with keeping Roethlisberger clean, but he was still sacked twice and was hurried and hit a handful of others.  The Steelers are searching for their identity, and if that happens to be on the arm of Big Ben, there is no way they will win a game without having him remain in the lineup and staying healthy.  The offensive line actually showed SOME improvement in the week 2, but pass protection is still a concern (especially with Mike Adams) against a Bears defense that can certainly pressure the QB and take advantage of mistakes.

- Find Your Rhythm - If you watch an offense that is clicking on all cylinders it almost has a rythym to it.  Think of those Saints teams led by Drew Brees, the Packers teams with Aaron Rodgers, and even the Patriots with Tom Brady.  Everytime they run a play you know something good is most likely going to happen.  These past 2 weeks the Steelers offense has looked like a train wreck.  It isn't just "back yard football" anymore, no its complete confusion and missed assignments.  There is no timing to any of the routes the receivers are running, Roethlisberger is missing his mark when he does have time, and receivers are struggling to make those difficult catches that can be the difference between winning and losing.  If I were the offensive coordinator (might be just as good as Haley, by the way), I would select plays that will get the Steelers set up for some 3rd and short yardage situations to get them going...not come out and run, run, run, and punt.  Ridiculous.

- TRY to Stay Balanced - The Bears defense can take it away with the best of them.  What makes them more dangerous is when the opposing team becomes one dimensional.  The Steelers have rushed for just over 40 yards in 2 games.  Yes, Terrelle Pryor (Raiders QB) has rushed for over a 100yds individually in 2 games, and the Steelers aren't even CLOSE to sniffing the century mark.  Needless to say, the offensive line cannot get into the habit of running the ball if you never run the ball.  Just like wide receivers take reps to get into a rythym with the QB, the offensive line needs reps to get going as well.  The Steelers need to TRY and stay balanced without banging their head against a wall.  Haley can't be predictable with his play calling...instead, he needs to mix in the run with the pass when its appropriate. 

- Whatever You've Been Doing Isn't Working - The Steelers offense has been so putrid the past 2 weeks that whatever they "thought" would work, obviously has crashed and burned.  its time to scrap the plans from the last two weeks and start anew.  Whether that means becoming a strictly no-huddle team, or a more hurry up style, or maybe it means letting Big Ben dial up plays from what he sees.  Whatever it is, it needs to be fixed as soon as possible because the Bears defense is going to feast on the Steelers if nothing changes.  The veterans on the team had a meeting yesterday to hopefully get this team "squared away"...and they better have figured something out because the product they have put on the field the last two weeks just isn't going to cut it.

- Don't Turn The Ball Over - I wrote about this in my game recap after the Monday Night Football loss.  The first 2 weeks of the season have seen turnovers completely derail the offensive unit.  Facing a Bears team that thrives on the fumble recovery, the INT, and the mistake by it's opposition...keeping a goose egg in the turnover column will be gigantic for the Steelers.  Pittsburgh is a team that doesn't necessarily play reckless, they just make the mistakes at crucial moments.  If the Steelers want to win the football game, they can NOT turn the football over...PERIOD.

Did you miss my breakdown of the Steelers Defense vs. the Bears Offense? 
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