What can’t this team do?

As of today, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 7-2. This past Sunday, they went into DC (Landover, MD) and beat a good football team in the Washington Commanders. The Commanders came into that game at 7-2 with a ton of confidence that was rightfully earned. The Commanders are the fourth ranked yards per game offense, second best offense in total yards, third in total points, and third in rushing yards per game. In addition, they have a very talented rookie quarterback that entered this game with 459 rushing yards. By all measures this is a team that, as of right now, should be considered in the top tier of NFC contenders. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat them, 28-27. In addition to getting the “win,” the Steelers held Jayden Daniels to 5 yards rushing and his second lowest QBR on the season.

Yes, the above mentioned victory is just one game, by one point; however, it should not be removed from the larger conversation about how good this Steelers team is and can become over the course of the next 2 months. In recent years the pundits and analysts constantly created a narrative that there were certain teams in the NFL the Steelers just “could not beat.” Much of the conversation stated that the Steelers could not compete with the likes of Kansas City, San Francisco, Buffalo, Baltimore, Philadelphia, or even Houston. Since Big Ben’s retirement, there has been a lot of talk about what the Steelers “can’t do.” What I want to ask is if that is still true? I would welcome anyone to try and convince me that there is a team in the 2024 NFL that the Steelers cannot beat. Can anyone convince me that this team has an “Achilles heal?” Is there one element of this team that will inevitably be their downfall? I would argue that one cannot do this convincing. The Steelers have wins against the above mentioned Commanders, the 6-3 Chargers, the 5-5 Broncos (who nearly beat Kansas City this past weekend had it not been for a fluke blocked FG), and the NFC South leading Atlanta Falcons. In addition, the Steelers not only have these wins, they have these wins in a variety of different fashions. Some of the games they have grinded out like years past, while some of them they have exploded for 30 + points. Some of the games they faced dynamic offenses, and in others they have faced very stout defenses. Each time they have answered the bell and found different ways to win. They do not have a set formula that they have to follow or else disaster. The Steelers have a very good defense. The Steelers have a good offense that seems to be getting better and adapting. The Steelers have an elite Special Teams Unit. They have the best kicker in football. They have a Superbowl winning quarterback. They have numerous all pro defenders. They have a 3 headed rushing attack. They have one of the best receivers in the game. They have a winning coach and smart offensive coordinator. Show me where their glaring weakness is and who they cannot beat because of it. Go on, I’ll wait.

The Steelers have done everything and more to prove they are in the top tier of the league this season; however, there continues to be doubters that want to “find” the reason they won’t go far. Yes, the next several weeks will be a tough test, but it would be a tough test for any NFL team. Playing two AFC North divisional games in five days would be tough for anyone. Yes, they are playing a good Baltimore team this week; but, it is no secret that the Ravens defense, particularly their secondary, is suspect at best. The Steelers can win this game. The Steelers can win any of their games throughout the rest of the season. I want anyone who thinks they can’t to start paying attention.