What to Watch For - Steelers vs. Redskins (MNF) - Preseason Game 2

"Can I please get a touchdown? How about an INT Ike?!"

The Steelers are amped up and prepared to embark on their second preseason game.  This time the Steelers travel to our nation's capital (well not really because the stadium is in Southern MD, not DC) to face off against the Redskins.  This game will be nationally televised, but will lack the "prime time" luster without RGIII and most likely without the Steelers rookie RB Le'Veon Bell suiting up.  Nonetheless, that doesn't mean there isn't things to watch for, and things for fans to pick up on even though its the preseason.  Lets kick this thing off already:

- Offense...Anyone Seen the Steelers Offense? -The dink and dunk, the west coast, the time chewing offense...SOMETHING.  The Steelers had one decent drive with the starters in the first preseason game last Saturday.  You expect the offense to improve little by little in preparation for the 2nd preseason game.  The Steelers not only are heading into the second preseason game, but have had over a week to prepare for this game.  I expect to see more deep passes from Ben Roethlisberger, as well as the offensive line moving the line of scrimmage and creating the running game that will be effective as it was against the Giants.  Steps in the right direction (not regressing) is what Steelers fans should expect from this "new" Steelers offense that doesn't have Mendenhall, Wallace, and Heath Miller (for the time being) in its regular rotation.

- Turnovers? Yes Please! - The Steelers looked like the Steelers in Week 1 of the preseason when they let turnover opportunities slip through their hands.  Sure, I know Jarvis Jones was given a Christmas gift on that fumble recovery, but I'm talking about David Carr's first pass that should have been a TD for the defense, but it slipped right through the DB's hands.  This has become a far too common occurance for the Steelers in recent years.  Its time that the CBs and Safeties take the ball away and create offense for the Steelers.  It all starts with pressure on the QB, and hopefully the Steelers can produce in alot of ways.

- Can a Brotha get a Touchdown? - The Steelers produced ONE touchdown against the Giants, and that was a botched snap that rumbled into the endzone as the mop up squad jumped on it.  A touchdown is a touchdown...I get that, but at the same time the Steelers 1st and 2nd teams need to start producing points.  Simple as that. 

- Less Mental Mistakes / Penalties - The Steelers were overwhelming in one category vs the Giants...penalties and mental lapses.  This is something that if it doesn't become rectified in the preseason...it could certainly linger into the regular season.  This team could struggle in alot of different ways...and it won't help if they are fighting themselves by shooting themselves in the foot with penalties and bone headed mental mistakes (are you listening Jason Worilds??).

- Someone Loss is Another Man's Gain - The Steelers are banged up especially at the RB position.  What does that mean?  It means that Jonathan Dwyer will get a golden opportunity to prove his worth against the Redskins.  Other injuries to players like Cortez Allen will open the door for someone else to prove their worth.  This is something that young and less experienced players could fully take advantage of.  Another's mans junk is another man's treausre is a saying...well in this case, another man's misfortune could be another man's opportunity.

- Roster Cutting Starting to Take Shape - The Steelers' roster is starting to take shape, and hopefully SteelerNation is ready to take notice.  You can start to see the "Haves" and the "Have Nots" on the field as you watch the preseason unfold.  Nonetheless, the battle is something that I always enjoy about the preseason.  The starters are slated to play almost a quarter, and that will leave plenty of time for the young bucks to show what they have to offer.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Washington Redskins
Monday, August 19th, 2013
8:00pm EST - ESPN