Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 Keys To Success In 2015

Oct 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback

(12) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) and defensive end

(99) during the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 51-34. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

3. The defense must establish a strong pass rush

In 2014 the Steelers were 27th in the league with only 33 sacks, and it doesn’t seem as though they’ve done much to improve that this offseason. After losing linebacker Jason Worilds, the team’s sack leader, there were no additions made that will greatly affect the pass-rush.

Outside linebacker James Harrison was an elite pass-rusher in his prime, but that was several years ago. Now, at age 37, he is at best a good situational pass rusher. He had 5.5 sacks in 2014, but as he ages it seems almost certain that this will continue to decline. He’s already retired once, and the days of him having All-Pro production are simply gone.

Linebacker Arthur Moats has only 9 sacks in his five-year career, not exactly numbers of someone ready to step up as the next top pass-rusher. Linebacker Jarvis Jones, drafted in 2013 as a pass rusher, says his wrist still may not be 100% despite having offseason surgery (per FoxSports). He missed most of last season with this wrist injury, and has only 3 sacks in two years in the league.

Defensive end Cameron Heyward could see continued improvement after accumulating 5 and 7.5 sacks respectively in the last two seasons, but other than him there are no established pass-rushers. Rookie linebacker Bud Dupree hopes to factor into this part of the game, but as with all rookies it is difficult to know to what level he will be able to produce.

The Steelers had one of the league’s worst pass defenses in 2014, and that isn’t likely to improve greatly this year. After giving up the sixth most yards through the air last year, the team lost eight time Pro-Bowl safety Troy Polamalu and 10-year starter Ike Taylor to retirement.

These players will have to be replaced by young guys like safety Shamarko Thomas and cornerback Senquez Golson, but that may mean the pass defense continues to struggle as these guys develop. If Pittsburgh isn’t able to keep quarterbacks from completing passes, their only option will be to hit them before they can get the ball away.

Lacking a strong pass-rush can only mean that Pittsburgh will give up a lot of yardage through the air and a lot of points. If they want to avoid this, they need to work on getting to opposing quarterbacks early and often.

Next: The Run Defense