Mark Madden: Steelers escaped New England with a win, but cracks keep showing

Some have the fragrance of hope and roses. Others smell like sweat and despair. These refreshing Pittsburgh Steelers notes are decidedly a mixed bag. Not unlike their 2-1 record.

• The Steelers scored touchdowns on their first two drives at New England, then got a total of one first down in their next six possessions. (That came via penalty.) The offense got the Steelers ahead 14-0, then turned chicken and predictable. Coach Mike Tomlin has an amazing record in one-score games: 106-65-2. That doesn’t mean he should prefer them.

• A win is a win. But the Steelers’ two victories came via five takeaways to win by seven, and a 60-yard field goal to win by two. Neither foe vanquished is likely to make the playoffs. It’s as unconvincing as a 2-1 start can be.

• Aaron Rodgers was 16 of 23 for 139 yards at New England, averaging 6 yards per passing attempt. Mason Rudolph could do that. What’s the point of having Rodgers if he’s going to dink and dunk? Why would Rodgers acquiesce to that?

• Maybe because he’s under siege. After absorbing seven sacks in the Steelers’ first two games, Rodgers didn’t get sacked at New England. But that was because of guile and getting the ball out quick, not because his offensive line played better. It didn’t. It stinks. That line has a first-round pick at each tackle but isn’t improving.

• Not only is Rodgers miscast, the Steelers are wasting wideout DK Metcalf: three catches for 32 yards on Sunday. The offense is allegedly built around tight ends, but that position totaled 29 yards on four catches. Running back Jaylen Warren had a team-high five receptions for a meager 34 yards. This offense has Rodgers at QB and Arthur Smith as coordinator but doesn’t look much different than when Matt Canada was boss. Just more tight ends. Smith’s offense has zero identity beyond Rodgers being clutch.

• The Steelers are poorly coached. Given the ample evidence, it’s difficult to conclude otherwise. Nothing that’s bad is getting better.

• Some of the Steelers’ weaknesses are inexplicable, like the highest-paid defense in NFL history conceding 386 yards per game, fifth-worst in the league. New England went 4 of 5 on fourth-down conversions. The Patriots had drives of 77, 92 and 88 yards. They rushed for 119 yards. (Tomlin runs that unit. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is his lackey.)

• T.J. Watt had two sacks and two tackles for loss Sunday. He also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. Cam Heyward had a sack, deflected a pass that was intercepted and forced a fumble. Congrats to both for finally playing as their hefty paychecks merit. All Watt and Heyward did is what they’re supposed to. They’ve done so in one game of three. (Nick Herbig might have outplayed both Watt and Heyward at New England.)

• Cole Holcomb started at inside linebacker in place of Payton Wilson, playing 37 snaps to Wilson’s 35 and performing well. Holcomb doesn’t play primarily downhill like Elandon Roberts did, but he’s not a lightweight like Wilson. (Though Wilson did make seven tackles Sunday, one more than Holcomb.) Full credit to Holcomb for continuing his comeback from a grievous knee injury suffered in 2023.

• New England drafted Drake Maye third overall in 2024. He’s shaping up as a legit, solid NFL starter if not a franchise quarterback. The Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett 20th overall in 2022. He’s currently with his fourth team. The Patriots will be a legitimate contender again before the Steelers will.

• Trai Essex is a former Steelers offensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champ. He put it succinctly on Twitter when he said the Steelers should be “watching film as if we lost.” Because the Steelers mostly played losing football.

• Here’s betting Minnesota routs the Steelers at Dublin this coming Sunday. The Vikings have a great coach in Kevin O’Connell. Superior weaponry led by receiver Justin Jefferson. A very good defense coordinated by Brian Flores, the Steelers’ linebackers coach in 2022. Starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy is hurt, but backup Carson Wentz helped Minnesota put up 48 points vs. Cincinnati on Sunday and is probably more potent right now than McCarthy, who is in his de facto rookie season after missing all of last year because of injury.

• The Steelers should have promoted Flores to defensive coordinator in 2023 and let Austin go. But … buddy system.

• When the Steelers win despite a sketchy performance, the battle cry is, “Why ask why?” But Minnesota will be asking why. So will Baltimore, Buffalo, Green Bay and the Los Angeles Chargers. Even Indianapolis at 3-0. The big kids will show up at the playground.