Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Last season, the archetype of Pittsburgh Steelers football was completely tossed out the window. The classic model of a strong defense and power running was replaced with a team that looked to have more in common with a Peyton Manning team. As the defense suffered their worst season in recent memory, the offense put up record breaking single season numbers for a Pittsburgh Steelers offense. At the helm stood the veteran signal caller, Ben Roethlisberger, who spent the season rewriting the single season record book at quarterback.
The same can be said about his No.1 target, wide receiver Antonio Brown. Brown ended the season with the single season franchise record for reception (129), receptions per game (8.1), receiving yards (1698), receiving yards per game (106.1) and touchdowns (13). Statistically, Brown dominated his contemporaries last season.
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Despite the defense’s struggle, I can’t completely say that last year’s Steelers team went against their classic archetype. The emergence of second year running back Le’Veon Bell added a new element to the Steelers’ offensive juggernaut. Bell finished his season second in rushing yards (1,361), all purpose yards (2,215), and first among running backs with receptions (83) and receiving yards (854). During a three game period, Bell reached more than 200 all-purpose yards. The only other player to do this was Walter Payton. Like Brown, Bell statistically had one of, if not the best, seasons at his position.
The trio of Roethlisberger, Bell, and Brown is a trio of weapons that the Steelers has not had since their dynasty in the 1970s with quarterback Terry Bradshaw, running back Franco Harris, and the receiving combo of John Stallworth and Lynn Swann. Unlike that trio though, this Steelers’ trio is needed to put up a lot of points because of the shortcomings of the defense. That being said, as long as these three players are on the field, the black and gold will have no issues scoring the football.
Daniel Johnson is a Beat Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter. “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
