Steelers' Offensive Struggles Continue Amid Coaching Changes

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive struggles continued in their recent game against the Buffalo Bills, where they suffered a 26-7 defeat. The team managed only 166 yards of total offense, marking their lowest output in a home game since 1994, as reported by CBS Sports.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, returning from a wrist injury that sidelined him the previous week, expressed disappointment in both his performance and the overall effectiveness of the offense. He completed just 10 of 21 passes for 117 yards, with a passer rating of 65.0, which was one of the lowest of his career, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Rodgers's return was met with hope, yet it became clear that he was not fully comfortable as he did not take any snaps under center and played primarily from the shotgun and pistol formations, a decision made to accommodate his injuries, as noted by the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

The game turned dramatically in the third quarter when Rodgers fumbled after a sack by Bills linebacker Joey Bosa; the loose ball was recovered and returned for a touchdown by Christian Benford, putting the Bills ahead 10-3.

The Steelers' response was lackluster, leading to further scrutiny of their offensive strategy and play-calling. Coach Mike Tomlin faced criticism for the game plan, which many observers felt was overly predictable and ineffective, particularly given their inability to adapt against a depleted Bills defense, highlighted in analysis from Steelers Now. "The data and film painted a clear picture of how to attack this defense using motion and play-action, yet the Steelers brought nothing new to the table schematically," the report stated.

This underperformance has intensified discussions about potential coaching changes within the team. Tomlin's coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, has been criticized for the team's 11 losses in their last 17 games, raising questions about their future direction and ability to maximize the talent on the roster.

The Steelers' defense, which allowed 249 rushing yards to the Bills, also faced scrutiny for their inability to stop the run, leading to a time of possession of nearly 42 minutes against them. With the Steelers now at 6-6 and tied for first place in the AFC North, they face a critical matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 that could determine their playoff aspirations.

Despite the bleak outlook, the Steelers are still in contention for the division title, but significant improvements are needed to turn their season around, as emphasized by multiple sources covering the team's struggles.