If you are a typical NFL fan, you sat and watched Super Bowl 54 even without a rooting interest. This is the same for Pittsburgh Steelers fans who, despite being sour from missing the playoffs, likely tuned in to watch the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers.
If you were a Steelers fan watching the game, you had to look on with some envy at how both of these teams operate and wonder if Pittsburgh could learn anything as they attempt to come back in 2020 after a two-year playoff drought.
Here are three takeaways from the game for the Steelers to consider.
It’s OK to throw to the tight end
It is remarkable to me, in 2020 to understand why the Steelers have not embraced the idea of using the tight end position more in the passing game. But after watching how Travis Kelce and George Kittle impacted their respective teams all season and in the Super Bowl, you hope the Pittsburgh coaches can find a way to bring the Steelers offense into the present.
Commitment to the run game pays off
For two straight seasons, Pittsburgh found ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in part because they completely abandoned the run game. But the Chiefs and Niners showed us that not only can you be successful in running the football but you can do it without a big paycheck running back. A case can be made the Steelers have more talent at running back and offensive line than either of the teams in the Super Bowl but never showed it in 2019.
Coaching really does matter
It was a mix of excitement and frustration to watch the creativity of both offensive coordinators in the Super Bowl. This is especially true of Chiefs’ OC Eric Bieniemy. The Steelers have been stuck in an offensive rut since Randy Fichtner took over and going all through the playoffs you saw a level of efficiency and originality Pittsburgh needs to tap into.
