Steelers Are Still Legitimate AFC Contenders With Strong Defense And Justin Fields At QB1: "This Team Is One To Be Reckoned With"

The Pittsburgh Steelers, particularly their defense, were recently called frauds by former NFL journeyman defensive end, Chris Canty. He spent the bulk of his career playing for the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens, so it doesn't seem surprising that he would make a harsh comment like this. 

However, since that aired, other analysts have used the comment as a talking point, including on a recent episode of the ESPN show, Get Up. Marcus Spears said that he believes it is impossible to call Pittsburgh frauds when they improbably went to the playoffs in 2023 with no quarterback. 

Spears also said that in their first loss of the season against the Indianapolis Colts, part of what went wrong was that Joe Flacco came in for the injured Anthony Richardson. He said it happens all the time in the NFL: a backup comes in and surprises everyone, leading to fans demanding that guy be the starter, but when defenses are prepared for that player, he isn't as effective. 

Many would say that doesn't explain why the Steelers struggled with Richardson. However, those kinds of miscues are going to happen. That old saying about the NFL, "Any given Sunday," is a real phenomenon. Sometimes, even great offenses and defenses have a moment of struggle. 

Mike Greenberg, the show's host, said that no one expected Pittsburgh to sit at 3-1 heading into Week 5. If you'd asked most fans, they would have gladly taken that, given what they expected. He said they all agree the defense isn't fraudulent and added that quarterback Justin Fields seems to be trending upward. He asked if that makes them legitimate contenders in the AFC. Domonique Foxworth said it absolutely does. 

"I think so, particularly in this season where we aren't seeing this offensive onslaught," said Foxworth. "There isn't really any offense in the league that anyone is terrified to go up against, and they do have a defense that people are scared to go up against. And in this quarterback [Justin Fields] that's eliminated so many of the bad plays, we forget that Justin Fields also had elite high-end ability. He hasn't done it yet, but there could be a game; we've seen it just last year. I think it was the Lions where he was like, 'You know what? This is my game.' He still has that in him, so I think this team is one to be reckoned with."

Dan Graziano agreed and said he would argue that Fields showed that side of himself during the fourth quarter of the Colts game. While the Steelers may not have been able to pull out a win, they were able to pull within three. If it hadn't been for a bad snap that Fields took responsibility for rather than laying it on rookie center Zach Frazier, they might have won or tied the game at the end of regulation. 

He added that the Steelers are very pleased, even a bit surprised, at how well things have gone with Fields under center. As they prepare for the Cowboys, the key will be getting this young, disjointed offensive line to settle into place. 

Steelers' Spencer Anderson Is Ready To Step Up

The Steelers' offensive line has been decimated by injuries so far this season: Isaac Seumalo, Troy Fautanu, and James Daniels have all sustained major ones that cost them time. However, many other players, like Broderick Jones and Dan Moore Jr., have been battered and bruised. 

Young players like Spencer Anderson and Mason McCormick have had to step up. Anderson recently told the media that he is ready to continue to help however he can, including taking snaps at right guard. He has previously been used on the left side of the line, but after going in for Daniels, he said that he felt more comfortable on the right. Even Seumalo noticed it. 

Hopefully, Seumalo is ready to return for Week 5, but regardless, the team needs to build some more depth. 

Do you think the Steelers are legitimate AFC contenders this season? Click to comment below. 

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