The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long road ahead of them after a soul crushing loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. In a game where they controlled the tempo and were able to take a lead into the half, they managed to fail to adjust and got demolished in the second half. It got so bad that the fans were chanting "Fire [Mike] Tomlin" during the fourth quarter, showing just how frustrated fans have become with the team failing to win when it matters most, year after year.
Harrison Barden / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills.
The failures of the team yearly have made many question whether or not the team's current leadership is enough, with many people talking about how this Steelers team is the worst they've ever seen. One of those who remarked on the state of the franchise is Steelers author Jim Wexell when he made a guest appearance on an episode of Kaboly + Mack earlier on Wednesday.
Wexell was detailing his opinion on what he witnessed from the Steelers' offense, then gave his overall opinion on the team as a whole.
"That offense looked like poor communication from the head guy," Wexell said. "I started covering in '95, so I've been through '99, been through 2003, I don't remember a worse team. Especially on offense."
Wexell made a great point about the team's offense. The current unit has been unable to generate any kind of performance that would turn heads in recent weeks, with their best performance of the season coming in Week 7 during the 33-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The team's 396 yards of total offense generated in that game are the most yards they've been able to produce in one game and they haven't put up a repeat performance since. The offense has struggled mightily as the season has gone on, and with the schedule getting tougher and the AFC North on the line, the Steelers' offense has to find a way to get it together and begin to put up more dominant performances in whatever way they can.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills.
Wexell's comment on this team being the worst he's ever seen is also notable due to how the defense, the highest-paid unit in the NFL, has seemingly been non-existent against the league's top teams. Against the Bills, the Steelers were completely unable to stop their run game in the second half after they made critical adjustments. In prior weeks, they've allowed teams to pile on the yards against them and pile on the points, with the defense only holding an opponent to under 10 points one time back in Week 6.
The Steelers need to find a way to figure something out and quickly, as this upcoming matchup against the Baltimore Ravens is critical. Both teams sit at 6-6 and will take control of the AFC North with a win. The main priority right now should be simple, and will go a long way to potentially save the season.
Steelers Need To Adjust Scheme On Offense To Make Something Happen
The Steelers' offense has been entirely unable to put up any kind of consistent performances all year. The team needs to make an adjustment with the offensive scheme prior to the game against the Ravens that will lead to an improved outcome. Potentially, it should involve getting more of the key playmakers going in the passing game. If they fail, even the Steelers ownership has reportedly said they'll step in themselves to make major changes.
Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills.
It all starts with a pivotal matchup against the Ravens. If the team can't figure anything out on offense, Wexell's comments may gain even more momentum as the team could potentially get worse than even now.
What did you think about Wexell's comments regarding the current state of the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below.
#SteelerNation
