The Pittsburgh Steelers have been told they are not “a legit Super Bowl contender” due to their faltering red zone offense.
On Sunday, the Steelers clinched a huge win over their AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens, with Chris Boswell kicking six field goals in the 18-16 victory. While quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 205 yards, he tossed an ugly interception in the end zone as the offense failed to step up in the same manner it has since the veteran took over from Justin Fields, with victory coming as Justin Tucker uncharacteristically suffered an off day.
The Steelers can pick up another divisional win against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football, but the franchise has been warned that, even with their impressive record, they are not considered a true contender to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
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Appearing on ESPN’s ‘First Take’, Orlovsky highlighted how the Steelers have surrendered 11 sacks over the last three weeks – which is the third-most in the NFL behind the likes of the Chicago Bears and much-maligned rookie Caleb Williams. When asked if that is on the offensive line or Wilson, Orlovsky laid it at the feet of the quarterback and suggested it could be the Steelers’ Achilles heel when it comes to reaching the Super Bowl.
“It’s him, more often than not,” Orlovsky began. “I think what you’ve started to see teams, and Baltimore did it, take away as many opportunities with the deep balls toward George Pickens. So they’re just playing off of George, and they’re double-teaming him when he’s in the slot so I want to see the counters for Pittsburgh.
“In the last 20 Super Bowls… there’s been three teams that have had worse red zone offenses than the Steelers. Out of 40. That’s the 2006 Bears, the 2010 Steelers actually, and the 2015 Broncos. My job is to figure out the ‘whys’ for the things that won’t happen.
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Russell Wilson defeated Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on Sunday (
AP)
“The Steelers are a very good football team. If they don’t get to the AFC title game, or what might not make them a legit Super Bowl contender, is you are not going to beat Lamar [Jackson], you’re not going to beat Josh Allen, you’re not going to beat Patrick Mahomes kicking field goals.”
Orlovsky makes a point, but it is undoubtedly ill-timed. As his statistics suggest, the Steelers are unlikely to compete with the AFC heavyweights if the offense is stagnating in red zone situations.
However, Orlovsky claimed the Steelers cannot beat two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson simply kicking field goals even though this is exactly what happened in Week 11. Boswell’s six field goals clinched victory over the Ravens, with Jackson held to 207 yards on an under 50 percent completion rate.
While it may not be consistent, the Steelers defense is strong enough to guide the franchise to victory even on days when the offense is struggling to put up points. Pittsburgh take on the 2-8 Browns on Thursday, Nov. 21.
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