After three weeks of NFL action, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 3-0 start to the 2024 NFL Season has been one of the bigger surprises. Before the season began, the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals figured to be among the top teams in the division. The Cleveland Browns made the playoffs last year. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, however, would return in 2024 after suffering a shoulder injury against the Ravens in Week 12.
Justin Fields started the season under center after Russell Wilson endured a calf injury before a Week 1 date with the Denver Broncos. Following three weeks, Pittsburgh joins the Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and Buffalo Bills in the ranks of the undefeated.
The Bills and Chiefs met in the playoffs last year so an undefeated start isn’t out of left field. Is a 3-0 start for the Pittsburgh Steelers a sustainable path or simply a mirage of the early season?
The first three opponents of the season certainly dictate if a team can get off to a fast start or if it will have to battle for sixty minutes each time. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith came over after helming the Atlanta Falcons for the last three years.
Under Smith, Fields has had ups and downs. He’s completed 73.3% of his passes for 518 yards. Fields has three total touchdowns (one rushing) and one interception. In 13 games with the Chicago Bears last year, the former first-round pick completed 61.4% of his attempts.
While the sample size is only three games, he’s adapted to a new system on a new team in his first three games. As his comfort rises in the new offensive system, his passing yardage will increase.
Examining if the Pittsburgh Steelers 3-0 Start is Real or a Mirage
Strong Defense
The Steelers have been known throughout history for always having a formidable defense. Last year’s team finished sixth overall in points against but was in the middle of the pack regarding yards allowed on the ground and through the air.
This year’s team is in the top six in all important yards allowed categories after a 3-0 start. In wins over Atlanta, Denver, and the Los Angeles Chargers, Mike Tomlin’s team has allowed 10 points, 6 points, and 10 points respectively. Defense is sustainable as long as key pieces stay healthy and produce.
While the three wins came in close contests, the opponents weren’t exactly top-tier teams in 2023. All three squads missed the playoffs. Two opponents (Atlanta picked Michael Penix Jr.; Denver selected Bo Nix) drafted rookie quarterbacks. The Chargers fired coach Brandon Staley and hired former Michigan and San Francisco 49ers’ head coach Jim Harbaugh.
All three wins in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 3-0 start also came against non-division opponents. Wins matter regardless of opponent but divisional victories count twice as much. They won’t even cross paths with another AFC North team until a Week 10 showdown with the rival Baltimore Ravens. If Pittsburgh maintains its early-season formula of holding teams to under 14 points, the success could continue.
Easy Peasy
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 3-0 start may partially be a mirage due to opponents and scheduling. Piling up wins before the team gets into the meat of its divisional schedule, however, is extremely important. While the Bills and Chiefs are also 3-0, they’ve consistently been successful playoff teams over the last five years.
Under Tomlin, the Steelers never finished below .500. The defense is always among the top units in the NFL. But since it’s still September and the Steelers always have dogfights in their divisional games, the 3-0 start may be more of a mirage than sustainably real for the duration of the 2024 season.
Main Photo: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
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