Steelers Week 1 win exposed familiar offensive flaws under Mike McCarthy, despite T.J. Watt and Pittsburgh’s defense delivering again.
- Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers in the middle - Brick wall in the background
- Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers in the middle - Brick wall in the background
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-0. That said, anyone who watched their 20-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons knows this looked remarkably familiar. Mike McCarthy's first regular-season game as Pittsburgh's head coach ended with the same formula that has defined so much of this franchise's recent identity. Their defense made spectacular plays, while their offense struggled. Aaron Rodgers managed rather than dominated. TJ Watt's sensational 35-yard pick-six supplied the defining moment. Chris Boswell's leg and Jaylen Warren's late running helped Pittsburgh close the door. Yet, the Steelers produced only 264 yards and one offensive touchdown. The scoreboard is nice, but the tape says the same old Steelers are still lurking.
Familiar formula
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium.
Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Pittsburgh's offense endured long stretches of stagnation. They relied on a double-reverse pass and a clutch third-down touchdown connection from Rodgers to Pat Freiermuth to scratch out points before leaning on Boswell in difficult conditions. When Atlanta trimmed the margin to 13-10 in the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh did not suddenly unleash an explosive passing attack. Instead, the Steelers leaned on Warren. His nine-yard run helped move the chains and drain the clock. Then came the defense. Watt batted a pass to himself and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. Alex Highsmith recorded two sacks. Payton Wilson was everywhere with 12 tackles. Pittsburgh survived. However, the offense offered little signs of a high-octane evolution.
Old tendencies
When Pittsburgh moved on from Mike Tomlin and hired McCarthy, they hoped to modernize an offense that had become too predictable. Week 1 did not exactly scream revolution, though.
Rodgers finished 24-of-40 for 221 yards and one touchdown. Those numbers aren't bad. Still, they do not show an offense imposing its will. Pittsburgh managed only 264 total yards and converted just three of 13 third downs. The Steelers repeatedly struggled to sustain drives. They left the defense responsible for creating the field position and scoring opportunities.
There were glimpses of what McCarthy wants. The double-reverse pass created an explosive wrinkle. Rodgers' touchdown to Freiermuth showed veteran poise. Still, too much of the afternoon felt like Pittsburgh was operating cautiously rather than aggressively.
DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr give Pittsburgh imposing perimeter targets. Roman Wilson offers a different dimension from the slot. However, the Steelers rarely made Atlanta defend the full depth of the field consistently. Metcalf was targeted 10 times but finished with just four catches for 40 yards. Pittman led the team with 58 receiving yards. The result was an offense that often appeared content to take what Atlanta offered instead of forcing the defense to react. Same old Steelers, right?
Unsustainable brilliance
There is no question that Pittsburgh's defense remains terrifying. That brilliance, though, also creates the danger. Pittsburgh cannot reasonably expect Watt to produce a pick-six every week. It cannot count on Cam Heyward knocking down multiple passes every Sunday. They certainly cannot build an offensive philosophy around the assumption that the defense will repeatedly manufacture short fields.
Against Atlanta, the formula worked because the defense was extraordinary. Also, the Falcons repeatedly failed to capitalize on opportunities with a third-stringer Cooper Rush at the helm. The Steelers eventually have to beat better teams without requiring a defensive touchdown to create separation. That is where the McCarthy experiment will ultimately be judged.
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Where was Aaron Rodgers?
Rodgers' presence was supposed to provide the ability to punish defenses when they load the box and dare the offense to throw. He did show flashes of it. His touchdown pass to Freiermuth was an excellent example of veteran improvisation. He also made several high-level throws throughout the afternoon. There were not enough of them, though.
The Steelers need Rodgers to become the quarterback who makes opponents pay for defensive aggression. At 42, he is not being asked to carry an offense for 60 minutes every week. Still, Pittsburgh invested in his experience precisely because it believes he can elevate a roster built to compete now. If the passing game remains this conservative, the ceiling becomes painfully obvious.
The AFC will not wait around. Kansas City, Baltimore, Buffalo, and New England are not going to voluntarily surrender possessions or allow Pittsburgh's defense to dictate every game. The Steelers will eventually encounter opponents capable of matching Watt's pressure with explosive offensive production. When that happens, 20 points may not be enough.
Warning signs
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy talks with quarterback Aaron Rodgers during warms up for a game against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium.
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
There is still plenty of reason for optimism. Pittsburgh won, after all. The defense looks loaded. McCarthy also deserves time to install an entirely new system, particularly after acknowledging that the offense was not where he wanted it to be in Week 1.
That said, patience cannot become an excuse for stagnation. The Steelers were promised offensive evolution. Against Atlanta, that evolution remained difficult to see. And until they materialize, Pittsburgh remains what it has been for years: a defense-first team asking its offense to do just enough.
Enzo Flojo is an Editorial Specialist at ClutchPoints and a Media, Comms, & Editlorial Lead for 3x3 basketball at FIBA. He brings a dynamic spirit and background, having expertise that spans writing, analytics, coaching, and broadcasting. He also served as a gold-medal-winning Assistant Coach on Scouting & Analytics for the Philippine national youth basketball team.