Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets dropped the Pittsburgh Steelers to 1-3 and really brings into question if even a quarterback change can turn this season around. Pittsburgh went with rookie Kenny Pickett in the second half but failed to hold off the Jets in the end. ESPN put out its new NFL power rankings and the loss cost the Steelers five more spots where they landed at No. 29.
Here is what ESPN Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor had to say about the reason for the fall based on the team’s continued struggles on the defensive side of the football.
After dropping three straight, there are plenty of issues to point to on the defensive side, but the root of it stems from Watt’s absence. Since the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year tore his pectoral at the end of regulation in Week 1, the Steelers have given up an average of 23 points per game and recorded just three total sacks. Watt is the cog in the defense that makes everything go, and without a formidable pass rush, the rest of the defense isn’t succeeding in picking up the slack.
The only teams ranked lower than the Steelers are the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans. Not exactly good company. The Steelers are preparing for the toughest four-game stretch of the season and could realistically be 1-7 when they hit the bye week.
