In just a few days the Pittsburgh Steelers will come back off their bye week and begin preparations to take on the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. The Steelers are 2-4 and have a chance with a three-game homestand to get above .500 for the first time this season. But if it’s going to happen, these three Steelers must step up.
QB Mason Rudolph
The Steelers defense has been playing much better in recent weeks but the reality is this team will go as far as Rudolph takes them. Eventually, the defense isn’t going to carry an anemic offense and opposing defenses are going to force Rudolph to beat them throwing the football.
WR Diontae Johnson
You probably thought I was going to put wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster here. But no, Smith-Schuster is doing his part by pulling coverage his way. It’s rookie Diontae Johnson — the guy drafted to replace Antonio Brown — who has to take advantage of single coverage and start making plays. This is especially true with James Washinton out and Donte Moncrief struggling.
DL Javon Hargrave
Tyson Alualu will be the player who fills in for Stephon Tuitt in the starting lineup. But is Hargrave who must play better and replace some of Tuitt’s production. Hargrave is up to almost 50 percent of the defensive snaps this season — best in his career — but should see even more in these final 10 games.
