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Breaking Down the Reasons Behind the Steelers 0-3 Start

By Chris Ross

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field after being defeated by the Baltimore Ravens 26-14 at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Lack of Pass-Rush

On the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers have been better, but just marginally. This is still a team that ranks 29th in total yardage given up, including a 30th overall ranking when it comes to defending the pass. New addition Minkah Fitzpatrick helped shore up the secondary in his debut, but without a consistent pass-rush, the Steelers will continue to get carved up in the passing game. With just six sacks on the season, the pass-rushing group has failed to make an impact, allowing quarterbacks to take advantage of a clean pocket and extra time to enable routes to develop.

Despite having two former first-rounders coming off the edge, it’s defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt who leads this team in sacks with three and a half. That’s right, with Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt being paid to rush the passer, it’s a lineman who has more than half of the Steelers sacks so far. Watt, to his credit, is still a young player and has shown flashes. He has gotten into the backfield on several occasions; it’s just a matter of finishing the plays before the quarterback can get rid of the ball. Dupree, on the other hand, remains one of the Steelers most disappointing defenders. The former Kentucky standout hasn’t been able to live up to his first-round draft status, and unless he gets on track soon, his days in Pittsburgh may be numbered.

For a Steelers team that has invested heavily into the defense, it’s unacceptable for them to struggle this much. The secondary is improved, but until quarterbacks feel pressure, they will continue to get picked apart.

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