Madden Monday on Steelers win in Buffalo: 'The better defense won. The offense was a passenger'

For as much as things coalesced in the second half for the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday in Buffalo, TribLIVE’s Mark Madden says the offense can do more.

The Steelers fell into a 10-0 hole at halftime. Yet they ended up beating the favored Bills 23-16 thanks to a second-half explosion.

In the first half, the defense carried the team. That was the only side of the ball that kept the team afloat.

But when the teams returned to the field for the second half, all three phases contributed. Coordinator Matt Canada’s offense scored on all four of its possessions. The defense limited the Bills to two field goals. And the special teams chipped in with a blocked punt that turned into a touchdown, plus three field goals.

However, in this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Madden said the offense needs to pull its own weight earlier in games.

“The win over the Bills has to be a blueprint because I don’t think the offense is going to be very good, and I do think the defense is going to have to be that good every week,” Madden said. “That offensive line was every bit as bad as billed. It got no push in the run … I question if that offensive line will let that offense be even more than average on its best day.”

Meanwhile, Madden said outside linebacker T.J. Watt is already living up to his $112 million contract.

“He was worth every penny. He was just unbelievable,” Madden said. “He had a couple sacks, a strip sack, a tackle for loss, pressure all over Allen, five quarterback hits total. He led and the rest of the platoon followed.”

The shining defense didn’t stop with Watt. Cameron Heyward was fantastic. Cameron Sutton made some big plays. Melvin Ingram and Alex Highsmith provided a lot of pressure.

But Madden said in Week 2 against the Raiders, the offense needs to catch up.

“The better defense won. The offense was a passenger. The defense was the crew,” Madden said. “I think they need to get as inventive as possible on that defense. Because as good as that defense is, for the Steelers to make the playoffs, it has to play like it did today and maybe even better week-in and week-out.”

Also in “Madden Monday” this week, Mark and I talk about Sidney Crosby’s wrist injury, the crumbling state of the Baltimore Ravens and the Pirates’ inability to sweep a series.

Listen: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss the Steelers’ win over the Bills on Week 1