Mark Madden: No one expected the Steelers to start 7-0, but how will they finish? - TribLIVE

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This is an odd Steelers season, especially for those in the sports talk genre.

There isn’t much to criticize. Darn it.

I never imagined the Steelers starting 7-0. Neither did anyone else, if honesty prevails.

But the Steelers have so far avoided conceding a sloppy loss to an inferior team, as is traditionally their wont. The Steelers have also benefited from untidy opposition play, most recently Sunday when Baltimore outgained them by a margin of over two-to-one, yet thrust victory into the Steelers’ hands via four turnovers, nine penalties and a confused Lamar Jackson not being able to hit the broad side of a barn with a fistful of peanuts.

Current topics: The ramifications of playing the Ravens a third time in the Steelers’ first playoff game. That could easily happen.

Say the Steelers go 13-3, but lose that game. Is it a bad season? (Yes. Mike Tomlin hasn’t won nearly enough postseason contests dating back to 2011.)

Who is most likely to beat the Steelers? Baltimore visits on Thanksgiving. Dec. 13 is at AFC East leader Buffalo. The Steelers conclude the season with games at home vs. Indianapolis, then at Cleveland. Both are playoff contenders. The schedule gets tougher, but it’s hard to imagine worse than the aforementioned 13-3, and 14-2 is more likely.

It depends on what the Steelers clinch, and when. Having the first-round bye, home field and/or the AFC North title might mean resting starters Week 17 at Cleveland. But if the Steelers have the bye, does Tomlin want, say, Ben Roethlisberger not playing two straight weeks?

But the big question is: How did this happen?

Roethlisberger’s return is obviously and by far the top factor. Questions remain about his deep arm and whether he really draws plays in the dirt. But his precision and poise make him team MVP despite the odd bad half (and even though he never gets voted team MVP).

The defense was excellent last year, and statistically a close match this year. Takeaways were always going to decline after last season’s absurd total of 38. Foes converting 44% of third down is disturbing, and reflects a few hiccups in the secondary. But outside linebacker T.J. Watt and defensive end Stephon Tuitt are performing at first-team All-Pro level.

The speed of injured inside linebacker Devin Bush is badly missed. His absence manifested itself when Baltimore rushed for 265 yards Sunday. It will do so again.

The Steelers must figure the perfect mix of Vince Williams, folk hero Robert Spillane and new guy Avery Williamson at the two inside ‘backer spots. Bush’s quickness can’t be replaced, but maximizing those spots in any way possible is critical.

Special teams have been excellent.

Quarterbacks coach Matt Canada has added some funk to the offensive playbook. Jet motion has made the opposing defense flinch.

The offensive line was suspect entering the season. But left tackle Alejandro Villanueva has ditched last season’s doldrums. Right tackle Chuks Okorafor draws little complaint in his first year starting. Injuries got rookie guard Kevin Dotson into the lineup, he cut the mustard, and depth was manufactured. Perceived weakness turned to legit strength.

The Steelers have already topped Baltimore and Tennessee. They should beat Buffalo.

Could they beat Kansas City in the playoffs? It’s early to discuss that, but better than fantasizing that Dallas has a chance this coming Sunday.

The Steelers defense is good, but its style could be counterproductive against Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The best bet might be rushing four and dropping seven, making Mahomes be patient and go through his reads. But the Steelers defense prefers to play fast and aggressive, and that plays into the quick-strike method of the Chiefs and Mahomes.

That game is hardly imminent, but at least it can be realistically imagined. Who would have thought?

Categories: Mark Madden Columns | Sports | Steelers/NFL

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Mark Madden: No one expected the Steelers to start 7-0, but how will they finish? - TribLIVE

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