The Steelers head into their bye week at 6-2 and in first place in the AFC North.
How they have gotten to this point has been an interesting dichotomy of today's NFL.
During a three-game winning streak to open the season, the defense was dominant, allowing just 26 total points.
During a two-game losing streak, the defense, which had been the backbone of the winning streak to open the season, showed some leakage, giving up 27 and 20 points, too many for a team playing with its backup quarterback, as the Steelers were to open the season.
But during a three-game winning streak heading into the bye week, the offense, defense and special teams have all played in unison. That has led to some lopsided scores and the 6-2 record that has Steelers sitting atop the division, a position the team will hold when it next plays Nov. 10 at Washington regardless of what happens this weekend.
And the Steelers have gotten there despite a number of injuries that could have sent the team into a spiral.
To wit, the offensive line has had four different players make their first career NFL start and has utilized five different starting combinations because of a number of injuries up front. Add to that games missed by, among others, outside linebackers Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig and running backs Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson, let alone quarterback Russell Wilson missing the first six games of the season with a calf injury, and the it would be more understandable that the Steelers would be 2-6 instead of 6-2.
With Wilson injured, Justin Fields started the Steelers' first six games and helped the team to a 4-2 start, showing that the team's deft handling of the makeover of its quarterback room from 2023 was well worth the gamble.
Fields, just 10-28 as a starter in Chicago, accounted for 10 touchdowns and two turnovers in his six starts, while Wilson has thrown for three scores and rushed for another in his two starts.
The acquisition of those two quarterbacks – along with third-stringer Kyle Allen – were just three of the offseason moves made by GM Omar Khan. And all of his moves have largely paid dividends in the first half of the season.
Cornerback Donte Jackson, linebacker Patrick Queen and safety DeShon Elliott all have been major additions to the defense. So, too, has been third-round draft pick Payton Wilson at linebacker.
On the offensive side of things, first-round pick Troy Fautanu was unfortunately injured after making his first career start, but second-round selection Zach Frazier has arguably been the NFL's best rookie offensive lineman before missing the past two games with an ankle injury. He is expected to return after the bye week. Meanwhile, fourth-round selection Mason McCormick has moved into the starting lineup at right guard in place of an injured James Daniels, and has played well.
With all of that in mind, here are the top moments from an exciting first-half for the Steelers.
Week 1, 10:38 1st quarter, at Atlanta
The Falcons came out and put together a nine-play drive that put them at the Pittsburgh 10 on the opening possession of the season. The Steelers were on the ropes, as Atlanta had a good plan to attack them with a mix of quick passes and the running game. But on first-and-goal from the 10, T.J. Watt whipped his block at the line of scrimmage and broke into the backfield to stop Bijan Robinson in his tracks for a 3-yard loss. The Falcons were forced to settle for a field goal and the Steelers went on to win, 18-10.
Week 1, 2:49 4th quarter, at Atlanta
With the Steelers leading, 15-10, Atlanta had the ball at the Pittsburgh 47 with a chance to perhaps win the game. But Donte Jackson had other plans. He intercepted a Kirk Cousins pass intended for Ray-Ray McCloud and returned the ball 49 yards to the Atlanta 18. The Steelers forced the Falcons to use all of their timeouts and ran the clock down to 29 seconds before Chris Boswell booted his sixth field goal of the game – three of which came from 50 or more yards – to help secure the win.
Week 2, 2:01 1st quarter, at Denver
Fields finds 6-foot-8 tight end Darnell Washington in the front left corner of the end zone for a bunch of firsts. It's the Steelers' first touchdown of the season. It's Fields' first touchdown pass with the Steelers. It's Washington's first career touchdown reception. The touchdown would be the only one they would need as they beat the Broncos, 13-7, to move to 2-0.
Week 3, 7:53 3rd quarter, against Los Angeles Chargers
With the Steelers and Chargers tied at 10-10, the two teams traded turnovers. The Steelers get a strip-sack and fumbled recovery from Nick Herbig, but the Chargers' Bud Dupree intercepts a tipped Fields' pass to give the ball right back to Los Angeles. On first down, Elandon Roberts sacks Justin Herbert, aggravating a previous ankle injury for the quarterback. The Chargers run the ball two more times, punt and don't threaten the Steelers again.
Week 3, 7:12 4th quarter, against Los Angeles Chargers
With the Steelers leading 13-10, Fields drops back to pass on second-and-7. George Pickens draws the safety outside, allowing Calvin Austin III to get to the middle of the field by himself. Fields puts the ball on the speedy Austin and he goes 55 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach.
Week 4, :30 1st quarter, at Indianapolis
With the Steelers trailing 14-0, Mike Tomlin chooses to roll the dice and try to pick up fourth-and-inches at his own 39. Fields is tackled on the quarterback keeper short of the line to gain by linebacker Zaire Franklin, and though the defense holds the Colts to a field goal, the Steelers fall into a 17-0 hole. The Steelers would rally from that deficit, but still lose, 27-24.
Week 5, 5:00 4th quarter, against Dallas
With the Steelers trailing, 13-10, Joey Porter picked off a deep pass from Dak Prescott and returned it to the Pittsburgh 37. Twelve plays later, Fields threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth to put the Steelers ahead, 17-13.
Week 5, :37 4th quarter, against Dallas
With the Cowboys threatening to score on second-and-goal from the 1, Roberts shoots through the middle of the line and nails Rico Dowdle in the hold, forcing a fumble. Prescott fell on the loose ball, beating several Steelers to it. Two plays later, he tosses a 4-yard touchdown, 4th-down pass to Jalen Tolbert, who holds onto the ball despite an attempt from Elliott to strip it out, to give Dallas the lead, 20-17.
Week 6, 4:33 3rd quarter, at Las Vegas
Leading 15-7 midway through the third quarter, the Steelers turned to running back Najee Harris to bludgeon the Las Vegas defense. On second-and-10 on the drive's second play, Harris busted loose for a 26-yard run to the Pittsburgh 46. Five plays later on second-and-5, Harris took a handoff through the middle of the line, broke left to the outside and raced down the sideline for the end zone, diving the final 5 yards and break the plane of the goal for a 36-yard touchdown run and a 22-7 Steelers' lead. It was Harris' first touchdown of the season and broke the game open.
Week 6, 8:32 4th quarter, at Las Vegas
With the Steelers leading, 22-7, the Raiders were trying to get back into the game. But Jackson had other plans. He picked off Aidan O'Connell and returned the ball 24 yards to the Las Vegas 7. One play later, Fields scored on a 7-yard run to put the Steelers ahead, 29-7.
Week 7, 11:35 2nd quarter, against New York Jets
In Wilson's first game back after sitting out the first six with a calf injury, the Steelers scored on their opening possession, getting a field goal. But the next three possessions resulted in three-and-outs and the fans at Acrisure Stadium were getting restless. After a holding penalty pushed the Steelers back on their next possession, things looked bleak, as the Steelers faced second-and-17. But Wilson took a deep shot down the sideline to his left in front of the Steelers bench to Pickens working one-on-one against cornerback Brandin Echols. Pickens shielded Echols off with his body and hauled the pass in for a 44-yard gain to the New York 32. The drive resulted in a field goal, but it seemed to ignite Wilson, who was just 2 of 8 passing to that point.
Week 7, 1:26 2nd quarter, against New York Jets
New York held a 15-6 lead and had the football looking for more at the end of the first half, knowing it also would get the football to start the second half. But on second-and-4 from the New York 36, Aaron Rodgers wanted to throw a pass over the middle for Garrett Wilson. But defensive tackle Cam Heyward got his hands up, forcing Rodgers to double-clutch on the pass. That gave Beanie Bishop the opportunity to step underneath Garrett Wilson and intercept the pass at the Pittsburgh 46. Four plays later, Russell Wilson tossed an 11-yard TD to George Pickens, cutting New York's lead to 15-13 and starting a run of 31 consecutive points for the Steelers. Bishop also would pick off Rodgers in the third quarter to set up another touchdown.
• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast
Week 7, 2:42 3rd quarter, against New York Jets
With the Steelers leading 23-15, the Jets lined up for a 35-yard field goal attempt. But Greg Zuerlein's attempt was blocked by defensive lineman Dean Lowry, turning the Jets away without points. It marked the third consecutive game in which the Steelers blocked a kick, tying a team record for most blocks in consecutive games and blocks in a single season.
Week 8, 4:58 3rd quarter, against New York Giants
The Steelers were locked in a 9-9 tie with the visiting Giants when an Alex Highsmith sack helped force New York to punt. Austin fielded the punt at his own 27 on the right hash, cut all the way back across the field, picking up a block on the edge from Rodney Williams and sprinted up the sideline for a 73-yard punt return touchdown. It was the Steelers' first punt return for a score since 2019. On the Steelers' next possession, Austin would catch a 29-yard touchdown pass from Wilson, helping the Steelers to their sixth win.
Week 8, 3:03 4th quarter, against New York Giants
With the Steelers leading 26-18, Wilson fumbled on a scramble, with the Giants recovering at the Pittsburgh 37. But with the Giants at the 19, Watt whipped his block at the snap, hit quarterback Daniel Jones and forced him to fumble, recovering the loose ball himself. The Steelers would run the clock down to two minutes while moving out to midfield before punting. And Bishop would record his third interception in two weeks in the closing seconds to seal the win for the Steelers.
