Steelers: Three Takeaways From Week 10 Win

The Offense is Still too Inconsistent

For as awesome as the Steelers defense has been, the offense has been far too inconsistent and that was true yet again in Week 10. After the day started with a bad snap from Maurkice Pouncey that resulted in a Rams’ touchdown, things settled down a bit for the Steelers, but a safety later in the game once again showed how unreliable the unit has been. Obviously injuries are a major factor, as Roethlisberger’s continued absence and the loss of James Conner over the last couple of games have put a lot of pressure on their young replacements.

With that in mind, Steelers Offensive Coordinator Randy Fichtner deserves his fair share of the blame for Pittsburgh’s offensive performance. Generally, teams open games with a script, using a handful of plays t establish a rhythm. Unfortunately, Fichtner’s scripts have been downright ineffective, leading to constant turnovers and scoreless possessions. As Roethlisberger’s hand-picked coordinator, Fichtner’s job is likely safe. Based on his performance in the role, however, the Steelers should really consider if he’s the right person for the job.

As long as the defense remains an elite unit, the offense doesn’t need to be elite for the Steelers to win. That said, it would be nice to see the team at least make progress on that side of the ball. If nothing else, it’s time to play with some semblance of consistency. The Steelers can’t continue to rely on the occasional big play to bail them out. This offense needs to wake up.