The Pittsburgh Steelers will look to bounce back in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns after losing their opening game of the 2023 season to the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 30-7. After experiencing an offseason full of intrigue and optimism, fans of the black and gold were extremely disappointed in the team's effort in all three phases of the game in Week 1. While the defense allowing 30 points is alarming, the inability for the Kenny Pickett-led offense to gain any sort of momentum moving the football is the bigger cause for concern. If the Steelers hope to get back on track and avoid an 0-2 start, they will need to get their ascending star at the tight end position, Pat Freiermuth, more involved.
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Steelers' Tight End, Pat Freiermuth, Had Only One Reception In The Team's Week 1 Game
Freiermuth did the find end zone in the Steelers' matchup against the 49ers, but this three-yard reception was his lone catch of the game. He also sustained a chest injury in Week 1, but was a full participant in Friday's practice, which means he will likely see the field against the Browns on Monday night. The same can not be said for wide receiver, Diontae Johnson, who will reportedly miss up to four weeks after injuring his hamstring against the 49ers.
With Johnson out, Freiermuth has a golden opportunity to become the featured component of the Steelers' passing attack. Receivers George Pickens, Allen Robinson, and Calvin Austin III will also contribute, but it may end up being the third-year tight end who sees the most targets in Week 2. Freiermuth does most of his damage in the middle of the field, an area in which many believe Steelers Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada, is allergic to. All jokes aside, play-calling must be better against the Browns. There is arguably no easier way to do that than to give Pickett some easy throws inside the numbers.
Matt Canada on Steelers offensive ineptitude: "It's one game."
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) September 14, 2023
Is The Steelers' Offensive Performance Against The 49ers A Sign Of Things To Come?
The Steelers still have 16 more games left to prove that their Week 1 showing against the 49ers was simply an outlier and that the overall direction of the offense is moving the right way. However, if the team's play-calling does not improve, there is practically zero reason to believe that the 2023 Steelers will make a serious run at an AFC North title.
It certainly does not help that quarterback play and the run game were absolutely abysmal in the opening game of the season, so Canada does not deserve to shoulder all of the blame. However, there is no denying that Steelers fans have grown close to exhausting their patience with a play-caller who has an abundance of talent to work with.
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Steelers' Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada
Needless to say, there is perhaps no person in the Steelers' organization who is in more in need of a better performance in Week 2 than Canada. This will be a lot easier said than done against a Browns team that is coming off a Week 1 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in which they stifled the newly-crowned highest paid quarterback in the history of the NFL, Joe Burrow.
The Browns offense also looked impressive, especially in the run game in which they racked up over 200 yards. If the Steelers want any hope of leaving Monday night with a record of 1-1, they will need to limit the impact running back, Nick Chubb, has on the game.
KEN BLAZE - USA TODAY SPORTS
Steelers Will Be Tasked With Slowing Down Browns' Running Back Nick Chubb In Week 2
Final Thoughts On The Steelers' Week 2 Matchup
If the Steelers hope to compete in the divisional race in 2023, they will need to avoid a slow start to the season. Defeating the Browns in Week 2 would certainly be helpful, but it will not come easy, especially given the injuries to both Johnson and Cam Heyward.
The Steelers have the necessary depth on the defensive line to hold down the fort until Heyward returns. Optimistically speaking, the same can be said for Johnson. While Pickens is the player many are expecting to see a jump in production with #18 out, do not be surprised if Freiermuth is Pickett's go-to-guy on Monday night.
How do yinz feel about the Steelers' chances against the Browns? Do you think the offense will play better compared to Week 1? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
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