The 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a hot start starting out at 3-0 for the season. Backup QB Justin Fields has been leading the offense through the first three weeks, as starter Russel Wilson is out with a calf injury, which caused uncertainty among fans at the start of the season.
But the team has come through so far, with a convincing win over San Diego yesterday at Acrisure Stadium.
Though the offense is not a scoring powerhouse, Steelers kicker Chris Boswell has 33 points with 10 field goals and three extra points.
Even with the lackluster offense, the Steeler defense has been keeping the team in these games, only allowing 26 points through the first three weeks. By all accounts, the Steelers are one of the best defenses in the NFL at present and as per usual.
The team’s 3-0 start has gripped the attention of NASH juniors and seniors.
NASH junior and Steelers season ticket holder Tommy Rubish said that he believes in the Steelers this year and predicts them to go 10-7 and make the playoffs in the Wild Card.
“They’re a team that improved in the offseason and have an average offense with an outstanding defense,” Rubish said.
Rubish’s prediction is a modest and reachable goal for the Steelers, as they went 10-7 in 2023 and made some improvements in the quarterback, offensive line, and defensive line positions.
Senior Dom Pappalardo is much more hopeful for the Steelers, predicting a final record will of 13-4 and a division title.
“I think that the Steelers have a top three defense in the NFL, and Justin Fields will start showing up and scoring more points on the offensive side of the ball,” Pappalardo said.
Pappalardo’s opinion is perhaps not common, but three weeks into the season, the team is looking solid. Nevertheless, every year Pittsburgh faces some tough division opponents. Although the Baltimore Ravens are 1-2, the team still is competitive and always present a challenge for the Steelers. Also, in most years the best team in the NFL goes 13-4 or 14-3, records that, to some NASH students, seem out of reach for Pittsburgh.
Minnesota Vikings fan and NASH junior Colin Sefick thinks that the Steelers will not be able to lean on their defense all season long, and having a lackluster offense will catch up to them. Sefick believes that the Steelers will finish 8-9, 3rd in the AFC North, and miss the playoffs.
“I do think that the Steelers defense can carry them all year long, but their below-average offense will end up making this team crash and burn,” Sefick said.
If Sefick’s prediction comes true, it would be a first for Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who has not had a single losing record in his 17-year career with the Steelers.
These next few months will reveal the true potential of this season’s Steelers. For now, however, matters could not be looking any better following a 3-0 start and a matchup next Sunday against the 1-2 Indianapolis Colts.
