The Pittsburgh Steelers' bye week couldn't have come at a better time. They entered Week 6 with a record of 3-2 and sitting at the top of the AFC North standings. It was a perfect week to rest up and get guys like Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth healthy. Mike Tomlin's group will travel to the West Coast in Week 7 and face off against the Los Angeles Rams. Sean McVay and Co. are in a packed NFC West and are 3-3 on the season. Steelers fans are hoping the in-season break leads to a more productive offense throughout the second half of the year.
While the offense has been heavily criticized and not many people are quite sure why offensive coordinator Matt Canada is still in town, the defense is going to have its hands full against the Rams. Pittsburgh would likely be 1-4 if the defense didn't show up against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, but the unit still ranks second to last in the league, allowing nearly 390 yards per game.
The Los Angeles offense is not one that can be slept on, and the Steelers' weakest link on defense, the secondary, is going to need to show up on Sunday. It all starts with All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who looks fully recovered from a nagging hamstring injury. Kupp has only played one game against Pittsburgh in his career and was unable to haul in a catch.
His new partner in crime, Puka Nacua has been one of the most surprising stories of the 2023 season. In Kupp's absence, he ascended to be the top wide receiver on the roster and has been targeted 70 times in six games. For reference, no Steelers player has more than 40. Nacua has 50 catches for 598 yards and two touchdowns. Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace could be in for a long day.
Steelers Need To Lean On Joey Porter Jr. In Week 7 And Beyond
Rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. came up with a huge interception in Week 5 against the Ravens. Many thought that would land him a starting role, but not so fast. It doesn't seem possible for the secondary to contain the duo of Kupp and Nacua without some youth in there. He may not be the starting outside corner heading into the contest, but he might need to play a significant number of snaps if the Steelers want to come out on top.
Pittsburgh has gotten torched through the air in 2023, specifically by top-notch wideouts. Brandon Aiyuk had 129 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1, Davante Adams had 172 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3, and Nico Collins hauled in seven catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4. A combination of Kupp and Nacua seems like a nightmare could be on the horizon for Steelers fans.
Matthew Stafford is a veteran quarterback with plenty of weapons around him. Pittsburgh is also allowing almost 144 yards per game on the ground, which is ranked 28th in the NFL. Rams running back Kyren Williams is not expected to play due to an ankle injury, and backup Ronnie Rivers will also probably be sidelined. That leaves rookie and 2023 sixth-round pick, Zach Evans as the lead ball carrier.
The Steelers found a way to lose during the bye week as the AFC North had a dominant performance and all teams in the division were able to come away with victories. While a loss against an NFC team in the Rams wouldn't be the end of the world, every game matters with how the race for the AFC North crown will go. Stafford, Kupp and Nacua are all capable of ruining Week 7 for Steelers fans. It could be ugly if serous adjustments weren't made during the bye.
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