In the words of Chris Martin, “It was all yellow.” The Steelers’ Week 2 victory over the Denver Broncos was an ugly game marred by 202 yards in total penalties and a painful second half to watch. The 13-6 final score reflects that. But a win is a win, and a 2-0 start is even better.

As always, there are plenty of takeaways to be had:

1. The Steelers are their own worst enemy

This definitely isn’t the first time this has been said about the Steelers, and I doubt it’ll be the last. Pittsburgh was clearly the most talented team on the field on Sunday, but they couldn’t get out of their own way. It shouldn’t have been a stressful watch. Instead, Pittsburgh won by just one score.

A lot of it comes down to penalties (nine for 124 yards). There were some that were questionable calls, but this has been an issue for two straight weeks — the Steelers are the common denominator.

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith still looks like a good hire, but he’s partly to blame as well. The play-calling in the second half was less aggressive and more run-heavy, and both the air and ground game suffered as a result. The play action game was working, why slow it down? The offense has issues with talent and execution, sure, but three second half first downs just aren’t acceptable.

The good news is that the Steelers have looked far better than their last two opponents in terms of ability. The bad news is that the team has yet to play a full game like it.

2. The Steeler defense could be in contention for the NFL’s best

Ignoring the offensive woes for a bit, it’s hard not to get excited about this Steelers defense for another week. Pittsburgh has had a good-to-great defense for the past few years now, but 2024 looks like it could be something even more special if it can remain healthy.

The Steelers currently have the NFL’s second-best defense in terms of points allowed, and they’re top 10 in yards allowed. T.J. Watt and Co. haven’t had to blitz much to generate pressure. There are playmakers at every level, showcased by back-to-back multi-sack, multi-turnover games.

Outside of a few unlucky breaks, the Steelers have smothered the last two offenses they’ve gone against, and from the second half of Week 1 to the first half of Week 2, Pittsburgh pitched a four-quarter shutout. Are there things to work on? Without a doubt. But this Steeler defense looks like it could be one to remember.

3. Quarterback controversy?

It’ll be hard for Russell Wilson to gain his starting job back if Justin Fields plays all game like he did in the first half against Denver.

Of course, Fields didn’t. But let’s start with the positives.

Fields had just 27 rushing yards against the Broncos, but his mobility adds an invaluable element to the Steeler offense, especially with its offensive line struggles. None made that point clearer than a 16-yard gain on a play that would’ve been a sack or incompletion with any other Steelers quarterback of the past several years.

On top of that, Fields’ short accuracy looked better. And his deep ball remains a strength. It didn't show on the stat sheet, but he had one long pass drop perfectly into Van Jefferson’s hands… er, hand (as the other was being held), as well as one of the best passes I’ve ever seen thrown downfield while on the move. Unfortunately, it was called back by a Broderick Jones penalty.

Those are the sort of splash plays that Steelers fans dreamed of when the Fields trade was announced. Better yet? While Fields hasn’t looked like an All-Pro this season, he still has yet to turn over the ball (I’ll acknowledge there have been a few close calls). The Jekyll and Hyde act we expected hasn’t been as bad as previously feared.

The more impressive stat is the Steelers’ current record with Fields: 2-0.

Of course, what started out as a promising outing for the Steelers' offense wilted in the second half. I’d argue the regression was more on the O-line than anyone else, but throughout the game, Fields still had some rough moments in the pocket, including taking two sacks he could’ve avoided. And at the end of the day, there were only 13 points on the board.

All of that is to say I’m still fairly confident we’ll be seeing Russell Wilson in the starting lineup once he’s healthy, but Fields makes me feel less sure about that prediction with each win. If Fields can look as good as he did in the first half against Denver for a full 60 minutes next week (he’s expected to start) and the Steelers are 3-0? At that point, Mike Tomlin might be forced to ride with the hot hand.

4. Rising to the challenge

Let’s circle back to that insane Fields throw. It was yet another instance of a penalty wiping a big George Pickens play off the board, a recurring segment that’s overstayed its welcome in the young season [tired “if I had a nickel” joke here].

Pickens’ two catches for 29 yards will be the ultimate litmus test for who watched the game this week and who didn’t. Matched up against arguably the league’s best cornerback in Patrick Surtain II for most of the game, Pickens recorded the aforementioned penalty-erased splash play, drew a big defensive pass interference, and scored an acrobatic touchdown that (you guessed it) was called back due to a sketchy flag.

Despite going up against two of the NFL’s best in coverage over the last two weeks, Pickens has risen to the occasion as the Steelers’ WR1. It’ll be a fun season to watch.

On the flip side, the Steelers need a WR2 as well, and the Steelers are still looking for a receiver to fill that void. Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III improved over last week’s dismal numbers, but this week’s were still rough: a combined three catches for 20 yards.

Steelers WRs not named George Pickens through two games:

5 catches, 28 yards.

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) September 16, 2024

At least tight end Pat Freiermuth had a decent game with four catches for 39 yards, but he still doesn’t look like a difference maker. The Steelers need a No. 2 target. Here’s hoping Roman Wilson is a plug-and-play stud, but it’s looking like the Pittsburgh wide receiver room will need an outside addition before the end of the year.

5. We have a winner in the right tackle battle

Let’s return to point No. 1, the Steelers are their own worst enemy, with the laughable coaching decision to rotate offensive tackles. There’s a reason why no one does it. We saw why with Broderick Jones’ drive from hell: Three penalties that killed a Steelers drive that looked destined to go 99 yards. Jones was benched as a result, and Troy Fautanu, who got the start, finished out the rest of the matchup.

If there was one good result of the rotation, playing Fautanu and Jones back to back left no question as to who should be the starting right tackle going forward. The 2024 first-rounder allowed no pressure and lost just one of his 55 blocking reps per PFF. If Dan Moore Jr. continues to be serviceable on the left side, rookies Fautanu and Zach Frazier might lead a long-awaited O-line resurgence in Pittsburgh once Isaac Seumalo returns to the lineup.

For Jones, the future is less optimistic. I floated the idea that he could be a bust following his awful preseason performance against the Bills, and he hasn’t done much since to disprove that thought. Of course, it’s common knowledge that the Steelers haven’t done him any favors with his development, but even then, a 14th-overall pick should not be sitting on the bench in year two.

If there’s a silver lining, some time off might be just what the doctor ordered if Jones wants to get his career back on track. Heal up. Refine the technique. Try again in a few weeks. It’s far from ideal, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

6. Special teams improvements

Much has been made of the Steelers’ punting situation entering Week 2. Starter Cam Johnston is out for the season. The gunners have struggled to contain returns.

Sunday’s performance was a step in the right direction. The Broncos have a second-team All-Pro returner in Marvin Mims Jr., but he was held to just 6.7 yards per punt return. Ben Skowronek looked excellent in punt coverage and seems to have earned an eventual permanent roster spot.

New punter Corliss Waitman was trotted out eight (!) times, but still managed a 53.5-yard average and 50.5-yard net, which, not to speak ill of the injured, were better than Johnston’s marks from a week ago (although I’m sure the Denver air assisted the new guy). Waitman’s three touchbacks weren’t ideal, but one thing is for sure: The Steelers don’t need to worry about their punter situation in lieu of Johnston.

Chris Boswell was once again the Steelers’ offensive star, making two field goals and an extra point. He’s still automatic. He also booted every kickoff out the back of the end zone.

The Steelers’ return game does remain a bit of a work in progress. Jaylen Warren had a muff on a kick return and barely avoided disaster, while Calvin Austin III averaged just 5.4 yards per punt return and always looks like he’s about to get blown up and fumble upon contact with the defense. Maybe I’m just overly worried — he has been a reliable and occasionally explosive returner so far in 2024.

For now, the Denver game was a promising one for Pittsburgh’s heavily criticized special teams. Good work, Danny Smith.

7. Odds and ends

It was great to see Darnell Washington score his first career touchdown after impressing as a blocker for so long. That goal-line fade was a play every Steeler fan has had drawn up in their head since last year. Throw it to the big man!

Jaylen Warren seems to be healthier and it was great to see him zipping around the field more on Sunday. Still, Najee Harris is getting a lot more carries (17 to nine on Sunday), but he was running tough all afternoon. When both are averaging over four yards per carry, what’s there to complain about?
I’m getting mildly worried about linebacker Patrick Queen. He made some nice plays on Sunday with a pass deflection on fourth down and a diving tackle late in the game, but his run defense as a whole just didn’t look great for the second straight game. He continues to struggle shedding tackles. Is he a bad linebacker? Absolutely not. But he isn’t looking like the biggest free agent signing in team history right now. We still need to see a lot more.
On the other hand, safety DeShon Elliott might be the star of this year’s free-agent class. His tackle for loss on a third and short was a thing of beauty.

The Steelers secondary didn’t have the strongest outing on Sunday, with some miscues in deep coverage and a few missed tackles (namely, Beanie Bishop Jr.), but their willingness to play physically has been a major plus. There have been some strong tackles in run support over the last two weeks from a variety of names.
Sunday was a flag fest and yet I still saw the Broncos’ offensive line getting away with a hold on nearly every snap. I haven’t seen such violent, grabby tackle play in a while.

Cory Trice’s end zone interception was possibly a ten-point swing and a great play for the young corner who’s been through so much. The Isaac Redman Award winner strikes for the first time.
Pittsburgh has to clean up its snap issues. One of these days they won’t get lucky with the recovery.
It’s easy to see why Mike Tomlin is such a universally loved coach around the league when he’s giving out “petty game balls” to players who beat their former team.
Despite just one touchdown on the season, the Steelers are 2-0 and in sole possession of first place in their division. If that isn't AFC North football, I’m not sure what is.

The Steelers next take the field on Sunday, Sept. 22 against the Los Angeles Chargers in a (surprising?) battle between undefeated teams.

What are your takeaways from Steelers vs. Broncos? Agree/disagree with the ones above?Join our Behind The Steel Curtain community and let us know in the comments!