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Steelers Look Special Heading Into Week 1

The Pittsburgh Steelers are very much so a team to watch.

Noah Strackbein

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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers finish perfect. Their preseason concludes with a X-X win over the Atlanta Falcons, and are off the regular season with everything working as they wanted. 

On offense, Kenny Pickett walks into the regular season 13-15 for 199 yards and two touchdowns, with a 158.33 passer rating. At no moment did he appear rattled, and every bit of confidence the team preached about him coming into the season has been shown. 

Pickett has chemistry with all his receivers, and the abilities of George Pickens and Diontae Johnson only make life easier. 

The one-two punch of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren has been a debate as of late, but that was put to bed in Atlanta. Harris's ability to hit the hole behind a much better offensive line is something he's been waiting to show for two seasons. 

Meanwhile, Warren continues to be ten times better than an undrafted running back should be. 

Anthony McFarland's growth in year four only adds to the backfield. His change of direction is finally NFL-ready, which makes his speed lethal. He's also shown the ability to slide through the line of scrimmage and fight for extra yards. 

The offensive line is something special. The addition of Isaac Seumalo has not only turned Dan Moore Jr. into a starting-caliber left tackle, but the growth of Mason Cole and James Daniels completes this group. The starting five could be a top line in the NFL, and then they have Broderick Jones and Nate Herbig coming off the bench. 

Now, let's talk defense. 

It all starts up front. T.J. Watt said after his sack on Tyler Heinicke that he's waiting for the regular season to break out his iconic sack celebration. He should have plenty of opportunities to display it judging from his preseason. 

Nick Herbig has stolen the show for the Steelers, but Markus Golden has been quietly impressive in all three games. Utilizing all four edge rushers is something they wouldn't have thought could happen in their wildest dreams in the last few years. 

The defensive line is the hardest group to choose roster cuts in, but it doesn't matter, because Keeanu Benton is going to be the driving force alongside Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi. Every time the rookie steps on the field, he makes plays. 

In the middle, the Steelers have pulled off a miracle. In a league where the off-ball linebacker is dying, Pittsburgh found four that all play like starters. 

Cole Holcomb has turned into the coverage linebacker the Steelers desperately need. Kwon Alexander is a missile at all times, and alongside him is Elandon Roberts, who could be nicknamed the hammer. Mark Robinson is the little hammer. 

This team should probably keep both nickelbacks because they both have impressed. And who cares if either of them can cover, because if Elijah Riley isn't getting to the quarterback, Chandon Sullivan is batting the ball at the line of scrimmage. 

The cornerbacks have been quiet, but that's a good thing. If we don't hear about Patrick Peterson or Levi Wallace for three games at a time, it means they're doing their job. It's still a question of how they look against better talent or how ready Joey Porter Jr. is, but judging from their play in the preseason, things could be okay. 

If you want to talk about the third phase of the game, Calvin Austin is fun to watch. If he doesn't take a punt to the house this season, it'll be a surprise, and there's no way he could've been any faster before the foot injury. 

The Steelers just look good. This team has a special feel to them. Heading into Week 1, there isn't a spot where you worry. At this point, people will begin to question how far they can go, whether or not they can compete against the AFC's best, and if a Super Bowl is a real possibility. 

It's hard to judge before a full game is played by the starters, but leaving Atlanta, the Steelers don't have anything they need to fix. This team is ready for the regular season. 

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Noah Strackbein
NOAH STRACKBEIN

Noah is the Publisher for All Steelers, Inside the Panthers (InsideThePanthers.com) and Inside the Penguins (InsidethePenguins.com), and is the host of All Steelers Talk (YouTube.com/AllSteelersTalk). A Scranton native, Noah made his way to the Pittsburgh sports scene in 2017. Now, he's pretty much full-yinzer.

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