The Pittsburgh Steelers remain the NFL’s only undefeated team. The Steelers are now 8-0 after beating the Cowboys on Sunday.
Since 2018, the team has suffered the loss of standout wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’veon Bell, though the retooling of the offense is working.
James Conner, a fourth-year running back, found his groove as Bell moved on, especially in 2020. When healthy, Conner has been key to the Steelers’ rushing attack — this season averaging 4.4 yards per carrying, utilizing footwork and a strong stiff arm to keep high impact contact and injuries at bay.
Wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster’s numbers are down but mostly because of the plethora of options quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has to choose from. Smith-Schuster is still putting points on the board and making this offense move with three touchdowns this season and 21 first down conversions.
Chase Claypool, a rookie wide receiver from Notre Dame, has made waves with standout performances all season. He averages about 16.3 yards per reception. He already has seven touchdowns through the first eight season games, four against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ben Roethlisberger returned to play this season after sitting out 2019 with an elbow tear that required surgery and extensive recovery and therapy. As his 17th season is underway, his completion percentage is his best ever at 68 percent. Roethlisberger left the Cowboys game with a knee injury but returned.
Defensively, the Steelers are stout up front. Outside linebacker TJ Watt is a force and now, in his fourth year, is the team leader in quarterback pressures. He has also accounted for six and a half of the Steelers’ 32 sacks.
Fellow outside linebacker, Bud Dupree has six sacks this season and is quick off the line like Watt.
Defensive end Stephon Tuitt does the dirty work so Watt and Dupree can make key plays. Tuitt is a bulldozer and is the Steelers key to pressure on the line. Even though he is critical at creating pressure for his outside linebackers, he can make his own. He also has six sacks.
The Steelers roster is full of young talent though they show a tendency to play down to the level of teams they should beat handily, such as the Dallas Cowboys with whom they struggled last week.
After defeating the biggest team rival in week eight, the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers will next face another division opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals, to try and remain undefeated.
