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Self-inflicted wounds killing this city’s offensive football units

Pittsburgh’s two football teams share the same headquarters and practice facilities. Both teams have storied histories and Hall of Fame players. Both teams feature defenses that are playing at a championship level.

Both teams also have offenses that are it’s own worst enemies.

In this preview, we are referring to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have battled back from a 1-4 start to win four straight and vault themselves into a playoff spot at 5-4.

They’re currently in the #2 wildcard spot in the AFC.

Penalties, dropped passes, untimely fumbles, and sometimes mind-numbingly stupid play calling have contributed to a Steelers offense that has the capabilities to do so much more with the talent they possess.

Everyone understands that Mason Rudolph isn’t Ben Roethlisberger. We’re talking about a future Hall of Famer… still, Rudolph has plenty of pedigree coming from Oklahoma State. The offense has a Pro Bowl running back in James Conners. Behind Conner is the versatile Jaylen Samuels. The offensive line is one of the best in the NFL. The receiving corps is young but very talented with the trio of Juju Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and James Washington. Vance McDonald is a tremendous tight end when healthy.

So what is the problem? Not enough practice? Lack of focus?

Perhaps fewer passing attempts are the root of the problem, according to one theory by Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner.

“Everyone wants to make a play, and they want to have opportunities,” Fichtner said. “And maybe when there might be fewer opportunities in the passing game … maybe they overdo it sometimes and want to make more out of than what it really is.”

Dropped passes have plagued the team all season, and the squad added five more to the list last week vs the LA Rams. For the year, the Steelers have 17 total.

“With the lesser amount of opportunities, that’s definitely a real thing for receivers,” McDonald said, “because the last thing you want to know and carry with you, is, ‘I didn’t perform well.’ That’s going to hit everyone to some degree.”

When the receivers do manage to catch a pass and make a big play, they’ve fumbled an astounding six times.

One was in the Ravens game when Smith-Schuster had the ball punched out of his arm, a turnover that likely cost the team a big victory over the Ravens.

“I think what happens is if you’re not touching the ball a lot,” Fichtner said of skill players, “especially, skilled players, when they get the ball, they want to go make something happen and want to be a playmaker like they are.

“But every time isn’t the time to, so (in trying too hard) we put the ball on the ground. We have left some balls out there, just in catching. And I think those are the small things this week that we just have to keep talking about that are so important.”

Rudolph does his best to keep everyone positive, even though his player’s actions are having an effect on his stats.

“We have a lot of great receivers, a lot of great playmakers,” Rudolph said, “but hey, everyone’s human. Sometimes we don’t catch the ball. Sometimes I miss a pass. That happens, and we move forward.”

Regardless of shining sunshine up their player’s butts, it’s time for the skill players to take some accountability and start making plays instead of hindering it.