Alright, Yinzers, NFL enthusiasts, and die-hard Steelers fans, fasten your seatbelts because we're about to embark on a thrilling journey through the Steel City's hopes and dreams this season, much like Walter White's descent into the underworld of chemistry.
If you're curious whether the Steelers can pull off a deep playoff run this year, you've come to the right place. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty and see what needs to go right for our beloved black and gold to rise to the occasion in the postseason, just as Heisenberg navigated his complex world.
What Defines Success for the Steelers?
First, let's outline what we mean by a "deep playoff run." For Steelers Nation, anything less than taking down a legitimate playoff-caliber team might feel like a letdown—like Walter White's plans going up in smoke. A "meh" outcome would be winning a wildcard game only to get steamrolled in the next round, akin to Saul Goodman's schemes falling apart. And, of course, the ultimate disaster would be missing the playoffs altogether, leaving us feeling like we just lost out on the biggest score. The stakes are high, folks! Here's what needs to happen for us to have an 80 percent chance to make a playoff run.
Can Russell Wilson Channel His Seattle Days?
One key piece to the puzzle is Russell Wilson. He needs to channel his inner Heisenberg and play like the dynamo he was in Seattle.
We've seen flashes of brilliance, like a blue meth crystal in a batch of skank scante, but consistency is the name of the game here. Like Walter White, we need to make a product that is pure and consistent.
If Russell can bring his A-game week in and week out, the Steelers' chances will skyrocket, and the offense will hum like a well-oiled RV cruising through the desert. The defense can rest while fans rejoice, feeling like they just hit the jackpot in Albuquerque.
However, odds are he might be as washed up as a Steelers AFC Championship tee shirt at a second-hand store or a landfill in some third-world country.
Despite the excitement surrounding his arrival in Denver, Russell Wilson's performance last season left fans scratching their heads, wondering if they were seeing a broken Walter White instead of the master chemist.
He recorded a total of 3,524 passing yards, which, while respectable, fell short of the lofty expectations set for him—like a meth lab that never quite gets off the ground. More troubling was his touchdown count, a meager 16 touchdowns accompanied by 11 interceptions—definitely not the kind of formula we were hoping for.
However, there's a silver lining to this cloud: compared to Steelers' quarterback Kenny Pickett, who threw only 7 touchdowns against 9 interceptions, Wilson's performance shines like a blue sky after a storm.
While Wilson may have struggled to find consistency, his ability to toss more than double the touchdowns compared to Pickett underscores the potential for improvement and command over the offense in the upcoming season.
For Steelers fans hoping for a playoff run, focusing on Wilson's experience and talent could be the key to turning things around, as he hopefully regains his former form and becomes the franchise player they need, much like Walter White reclaims his empire.
George Pickens Attitude Adjustment
Let’s discuss George Pickens. Truthfully, I’m not entirely sure I want to, but let’s dive in anyway. He’s our wild card, much like Tuco from Breaking Bad—unpredictable and brimming with energy.
Pickens possesses an intense, fiery personality that can instantly alter the dynamics of a game, just as Tuco would shift the atmosphere with his explosive presence. His talent on the field is undeniable, but it’s that captivating mix of charisma and chaos that truly captivates fans, keeping them on the edge of their seats.
This young wide receiver has all the talent in the world, but talent alone won't cut it, and for all intents and purposes, he really seems to be another Antonio Brown meathead in the making.
During this training camp, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported a heated exchange between George Pickens and the team's new wide receivers coach, Zach Azzanni.
Fittipaldo noted, "New receivers coach Zach Azzanni and George Pickens clashed late in practice when Azzanni was dissatisfied with how Pickens executed his assignment." The situation escalated, as "Pickens reacted negatively to Azzanni's comments. Some of the other receivers approached Pickens afterward, but he appeared visibly upset."
Here we go—and this not the kind of "Here We Go" we like to yell at Heinz Field. This is here we go, again, with another meathead on the roster.
For the Steelers to thrive, Pickens must evolve into the true number one receiver role, much like Walter White transformed into Heisenberg. That means making clutch catches, running perfect routes, and being a leader both on and off the field. If he can step up, defenses will have their hands full, just like they did with Saul Goodman’s schemes.
Will he do that?
There is probably a better chance as him farting on his doctor and laughing at him, driving like a Mario Andretti along McKnight Rd., freezing his feet, and well, exposing himself, quitting on his team, you get it. More likely we are looking at another Antonio Brown - without the stats.
Crystal Blue Muth Needed
Pat Friermuth, our reliable tight end, has to elevate his game, and deliver some major crystal blue scante stats.
He's shown glimpses of brilliance, but we need more than glimpses. We need Crystal Blue Muth-amphetamine Pat Friermuth and not the "Chilly P", Jesse, weak-ass, scante version of Pat Friermuth we had last year. Last season, Pat Friermuth averaged only 9.6 receiving yards per game, finishing with a total of 308 yards and just 2 touchdowns. That sucks. That will get Combo and maybe even Badger killed on the street corner.
Those numbers fell short of his potential and the expectations placed upon him as a key offensive weapon. To truly become a game-changer, Friermuth needs to double these stats this year, aiming for at least 600 receiving yards and a minimum of 7 touchdowns.
Can he do it? Yes. Heisenburgh says he needs to put on the Walter White Heisenberg hat and play some ball this year. If he does it, then the Steelers certainly have an 80 percent chance to make a deep playoff run. Now will he do it? There is less than a 10 percent chance of that. So that is not likely.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren: The 1, 2 Punch Gets Even More Formidable
The running back tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren has to be electric. They need to be the Salamanca brothers, the ones with the axes, in Breaking Bad, and come after opposing defenses with murderous intent. Heck, they better put the fear of the patron saint of drug dealers in them and have opposing teams crawl back back from the endzone shrine at Heinz Field.
Harris brings the power; Warren brings the speed. Together, they need to keep defenses guessing, grind down the clock, and punch through the line for those crucial yards. If they can become a nightmare duo, like those brothers on Breaking Bad, the Steelers' offense will be unstoppable.
To evaluate the potential impact of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren as a dynamic duo, let's take a look at their combined yardage and touchdown statistics from last season.
Najee Harris: In the previous season, Harris racked up a total of 1,035 rushing yards on 255 carries, securing 8 rushing touchdowns. His ability to break tackles and maintain consistency made him a crucial part of the offense.
Jaylen Warren: Meanwhile, Warren emerged as a solid backup with 784 rushing yards on 149 carries, contributing 4 rushing touchdowns. His speed and agility provided a significant spark whenever he was on the field.
When combined, Harris and Warren amassed a total of slightly over 1,800 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, showcasing their potential to dominate defenses and significantly contribute to the Steelers' playoff aspirations. Moreover, their differing styles keeps the defensive units on their toes. This needs to work again to the same effect.
Chances of this combo working again, very good. There is no reason to think it might not even be a better combo than what it was last season.
However, so long as Hank doesn't come an stop them in their tracks, I expect there is a good chance of this duo improving from last year, especially under the new offense scheme that will be implemented with new OC Arthur Smith.
Cam Heyward Has a Solid Year
Veteran defensive lineman Cam Heyward needs to continue being the rock of our defense and can't have a Walter White fugue state like he did last season. For his entire career, he's been a consistent force, but this year we need him to be exceptional.
Heyward's solid play needs to anchor the defensive line, allowing our linebackers and secondary to shine. If he can stay healthy and dominant, our defense becomes a wall. Our empire, expands.
Last Season? He had 2.0 sacks. Of course, he was hurt. Before that, he averaged around 10 sacks a year and a number like that is needed for the Steelers to make a deep playoff run.
Chances of that happening? Not likely.
Cameron is one of those players that just maybe might be close to his own expiration date as an effective pass rusher. We shall see though.
TJ Watt Must Stay Healthy for the Playoffs
TJ Watt is a game-changer, plain and simple. His presence elevates our defense to another level. The key is keeping him healthy for the playoffs. Watt staying injury-free means relentless pressure on opposing quarterbacks, forced turnovers, and game-changing plays.
Good luck with that.
TJ Watt's influence on the Steelers' defense is undeniable, as evidenced by his performance statistics. When Watt is healthy and on the field, he consistently demonstrates elite-level play, contributing significantly to the team's success. In games where he has played the full duration, Watt averages 1.5 sacks and 3 tackles for loss per game, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
The Pittsburgh Steelers boast an impressive 69-33-2 record with T.J. Watt on the field when he is healthy. In his absence, however, the team's defense has struggled, allowing an average of 26.7 points per game while recording less than half the number of sacks and impactful plays, such as interceptions, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries. Notably, Pittsburgh has a dismal record of just 1-11 when he is not playing.
So if Watt plays healthy and into the post-season, definetly can make a playoff run. However, the chances of that are not great. Chances are he will get hurt again.
An Unheralded Receiver Must Emerge
You need good mules to run an a Los Pollos Hermanos drug empire. The Steelers are lacking in the wide receiver mule department.
Every great playoff team has that one surprise star. For us, it could be Calvin Austin III. This unheralded receiver has the potential to make a significant impact. He has impressive speed at 4.3 seconds in the 40 yard dash, so he can avoid DEA agents and linebackers for sure.
However, he has very few highlights to date, save fora 72-yard touchdown catch last year, which was not a harbinger of things to come. On the year, he finished with the 8 catch's for a measly 61 yards. Hey, he was hurt his rookie year but it is time to show what he can do as high draft pick from the class of 2022.
If Austin III emerges as a reliable target, defenses will struggle to cover all both him and Pickens. Keep an eye on Austin; he might just be the X-factor we need.
Additionally, I like the potential of Roman Wilson, who we drafted this year. Wilson could make a splash this season. So far in camp, Wilson seems to have made the most of his opportunities. When he had a chance to pay with the first team he appears to be impressive and caught passes for big gains from quarterback Justin Fields.
Broderick Jones or Zach Frazier Must Dominate
To solidify the Steelers cartel and dominate the AFC, the offensive line has to hold strong, starting with the rookies. If one of the newly drafted linemen can dominate, it'll solidify our protection for Wilson and open up running lanes for Harris and Warren. A dominant lineman means a robust and versatile offense. Let’s hope one of these young talents steps up big time! Just like Walter White said, "I am not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger!" Let's bring that same intensity to the field! One of these guys, needs to be the danger.
Focusing on the future of our offensive line, two standout rookies, Broderick Jones and Zach Frazier, are poised to make an immediate impact—we need one of them to do so.
Broderick Jones, known for his powerful blocking and agility, has the potential to become a cornerstone tackle. Whereas, Frazier's potential ability to protect the quarterback's blind side will be critical in ensuring that Wilson has the time needed to make plays.
On the other hand, Zach Frazier brings a tenacious energy and durability that could solidify the interior line at the critical center position. His skill in both run blocking and pass protection means that he can open lanes for Harris and Warren, while also creating a strong pocket for Wilson. Of course, the Steeles don't like to start rookies so it may take some time to see them on the field.
Together, these young linemen have the potential to elevate the entire unit's performance, providing the foundation for a more dynamic and efficient offense. But, because of the Steelers way of not starting rookies, the odds of that happening are slim and maybe none for both.
Deep Playoff Run Likely, If It All Falls Into Place, But There Is A Slim Chance of That
Alright, Steelers fans, we've crafted a blueprint for playoff success, reminiscent of Walter White perfecting his signature batch. Now, it's time to implement our plan and execute it but that will require the same precision and timing that Walter White employed to eliminate his adversaries in mere minutes at the ABQ jail house.
The likelihood of everything falling into place is quite slim—less than one percent, to be precise. It's comparable to predicting Gus's whereabouts so Walter White could strategically position a bomb at the nursing home and eliminate him. Achieving success requires numerous factors to align perfectly.
However, when the stars do align, our chances of making a deep playoff run surge to an impressive 80 percent, akin to hitting the jackpot in the drug trade. It’s a long shot, but in both football and life, even the most unexpected Heisenberg moments can lead to greatness.
If everything does come together, a deep playoff run and blue skies are on the horizon for our Black N' Gold. However — more than likely — our lofty goals of making a deep playoff run will simply be buried in an unmarked 50-gallon barrel somewhere in the dessert sands of the AFC North.
