Steelers, Seahawks Week 2 Keys to the Game
The Steelers come home battered, wounded and hopefully a bit embarrassed after the 33-3 pummeling they endured this past Sunday night at New England. In the aftermath of the massive season opening defeat, the Steelers will lick their wounds and face the 1-0 Seattle Seahawks.
This game is a crucial turnaround game for the Black and Gold. They cannot afford to drop to 0-2 and after a putrid output on both sides of the ball, they need to prove to themselves, and the fans, that they are closer to the team that everyone thought they were than the team that showed up (or didn’t show up) on Sunday night.
Offense
It starts on the offensive side of the ball. The team will need to utilize James Conner far more effectively. Conner needs to carry the football 20-25 times for 85-100 yards. The offense must utilize this ball control and limit the time the defense is on the field.
If the Steelers can run the football and if Randy Ficthner will open up the playbook for Ben Roethlisberger to throw the ball downfield (or maybe just let Ben call his own plays) then the Steelers will have a far better opportunity of success than they did in New England.
I’d also like to see JuJu Smith-Schuster become more of an impact player early in the game and have the team less reliant on Donte Moncrief this week.
Additionally, I believe the Steeler should and will involve Vance McDonald in the offensive game plan to the tune of 6 catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. McDonald could be a key player for this team if Fichtner would allow it.
Defense
That all said, if the defense doesn’t do their job, it won’t matter what numbers the offense puts up. Stopping Russell Wilson is objective number one. The defense has to blitz him and more importantly contain him. He’s dangerous outside of the pocket and the Black and Gold should be nervous about him making plays with his legs if he decides to tuck and run.
If Wilson throws, the secondary needs to be far better than they were last week: getting burned far too frequently, specifically over the top as the safeties failed their assignments.
Wilson may not be Tom Brady but he has an arm and he will make the Steelers pay if they fail to get to him.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, I believe the Steelers will come out with enough energy and just enough on both sides of the ball to leave Sunday’s home opener with the ‘W’.
