The Pittsburgh Steelers sit in a very comfortable position as they head into their Week 9 bye. The Steelers have a 6-2 record and are first place in the AFC North Division thanks to their offense heating up and looking like a completely different unit out there. Pittsburgh will return to action in Week 10 on Sunday Night Football, where they will take on the Cincinnati Bengals on the road.
Again, Pittsburgh is 6-2, but there are plenty of questions for the Steelers to answer and still plenty of season left.
With that being said, let’s look at three questions for the Steelers during their bye week that may determine if they can continue to find ways to win games.
Questions for the Steelers as They Enter Bye Week
Will the Steelers Make a Trade at November 10th’s Deadline?
The very question begins with roster changes and whether Pittsburgh will look to acquire another player before November 10th’s trade deadline. The Steelers likely will not go all in, but they could trade for a wide receiver such as Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts. The Steelers could also sit tight where they are because they are 6-2 and first in the division; however, if they truly think they are a contender, they will likely try to make a move or two to improve their squad to compete with better teams.
They could also go after another offensive lineman to protect Aaron Rodgers. This is likely Rodgers’ final season in the NFL, and he will want to make it count and potentially push general manager Omar Kahn to make a move to improve the team in the upcoming days.
Can the Steelers Offense Continue to Perform at a High Level?
The next question is a concern everyone may have, and that is if the offense can continue to perform at a high level. The Pittsburgh offense has looked completely different than usual the last six games. In their last six games, they had five 20+ point games and even managed to reach 30 against the Bengals. Jaylen Warren has completely turned on the jets, which plays a large role in this, but the question is, can they continue it?
Having a bye week after building a winning streak is the last thing you want, and they have some good defenses they will face, making it possible for an offensive collapse. If the offense continues to play lights out, though, the Steelers could establish themselves as a contender and possibly earn a higher seed in the playoffs.
Can the Steelers Avoid a 9-8 Season Again and Secure a Top Playoff Seed?
Pittsburgh is 6-2, but they have had hot starts and still finish with an average record such as 9-8 or 10-7. The reason this is so big is that it proves whether the Steelers are legit or not and if they can be a top seed so they do not get a tough opponent in the AFC Wildcard round. If the offense continues to play well, though, they should be okay and able to win at least 11 games.
The Last Word
Pittsburgh is in a very good position to make the playoffs as they are 6-2 and lead the AFC North, but the goal is not to simply get in the playoffs. The Steelers do not want to go 9-8 and lose in the wild card; the goal is to get a higher seed and get an easier first-round matchup than in years past. They can absolutely accomplish this, but these are the three questions for the Steelers that may determine if they can keep their foot on the gas and change the standard. Do you think Pittsburgh is legit, or is this another hot streak that will come to an end?
Main Image: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
