Steelers’ offense post-Antonio Brown still looks explosive with tremendous potential — but it is the preseason

… and “Killer B’s” did nothing to win championships

The headline from CBS Sports was positive: “Steelers' starting offense made it's post-Antonio Brown' debut, looked as explosive as ever.” Indeed, the loss of A.B. may not be as devastating as many pundits predicted.

Proviso: This is still the preseason, but the O looked good.

According to CBS writer Bryan DeArdo,

For several years, Pittsburgh's offense, blessed with the talents of Brown along with other game-changers in Le'Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant and Brown, could air it out at any time without always having to set up the run. While that often led to breathtaking plays and high-scoring games, it also could lead to interceptions and sloppy play that put Pittsburgh's defense in some less than desirable spots. That style of play also never helped produce a championship team, something the Steelers are hoping to accomplish during Ben Roethlisberger's final seasons under center.

“Steelers' starting offense made it's post-Antonio Brown' debut, 

looked as explosive as ever,” CBS Sports, Aug. 25, 2019

Change in offensive strategy

If Ben Roethlisberger tries to throw for 5,000 yards again, the Steelers will probably be at the end of the season where they were last year: Sitting at home watching the playoffs.

However, if they balance the run with the pass like they did in the preseason win over Tennessee Sunday night, then they have a shot. For instance, James Conner looked like he did in the early season last year before he was hurt. Conner averaged more than eight yards a carry [4 for 41 yards, 8.2/carry] and also caught two passes for 15 yards.

Ben Roethlisberger finished 8-of-13 for 63 yards and one TD for a QB rating of 99.2. The TD pass was a beauty to JuJu Smith-Schuster, who had four catches for 37 yards and the one score.

In addition, the quarterback backup race became clearer as Mason Rudolph looks like he may move ahead of Josh Dobbs for that spot. Rudolph hit his Oklahoma State teammate James Washington for a 41-yard TD pass for an 89.2 QB rating, completing 6-of-9 for 75 yards and the one TD. Dobbs finished with a 36.1 rating as he tossed an interception again.

CBS explained the difference for the offense in 2019,

While he no longer has Brown at his disposal, Big Ben still has a plethora of other options to turn to in Conner and Smith-Schuster as well as in veterans Donte Moncrief, Ryan Switzer, and Eli Rogers. And while Diontae Johnson looks to make an impact as a rookie, James Washington, who has been a star during the preseason, seems poised to make up for his disappointing rookie season.
The Steelers also appear to have a revised offensive game plan, a game plan that is tailored to what Pittsburgh's current offense, post-Brown, do best when attacking a defense. The Steelers' new offense may not be as explosive but, based on the potential it showed Sunday night, could be just as effective as the old one.

"The good thing is we can throw different looks [at a defense]," Roethlisberger said. "We can do two tight ends, we can do five wide. We didn't get too exotic, we just kinda kept it pretty basis. Wanted to get into a flow, wanted to communicate on the road. I thought we did a pretty good job."

Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports, Aug. 25, 2019

Conner and the rushing game

However, DeArdo also pointed out that the running attack also looked good against Tennessee,

And while the passing game will look different this season, the same can be said for Conner and Pittsburgh's rushing attack. While Bell was a special talent, Conner, who improved his conditioning again this offseason after undergoing a major regiment change in 2018, looks like he is going to take the next step as one of the NFL's top offensive weapons in 2019.

Already one of the NFL's best running backs between the tackles, Conner showed more of an outside burst Sunday night. He also made a devastating cutback on Titans' cornerback Adoree' Jackson.

Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports, Aug. 25, 2019

Defense

While I am focusing this on the offense, the defense has looked good the past two week, allowing just 13 points in two games. Since last week was over the KC Chiefs, that was impressive.

They led the league in sacks last year, but the DBs may be much better this year, too.

More on that later.

Conclusion

The Steelers open with New England on the road, which will be a challenge. However, I still think that they can win 10 or 11 games this year if everyone stays healthy and they receive some good production from the younger players.

And remember that the years of the Killer B’s led to no championships, just a slew of drama. We should be much better in that area.

And Mike Tomlin has to prove himself again as a top coach.

Stay tuned. I am much more excited about their chances this year than I was previously.