The Steelers are hitting their Week 9 bye at a blistering 6-2, riding a four-game winning streak that’s got everyone buzzing. It’s midseason, and while some folks are probably hyping us up too much, others are stuck in that classic “doom and gloom” mindset. But let’s cut through the noise and figure out what’s real with this team right now.
Zach Frazier Is Playing Like the Best Center in the NFL
Let’s talk about Zach Frazier. This dude has always been up there in the interior lineman rankings, but he’s flat-out broken into “best center in the NFL” territory during our recent win streak. Seriously, watch the tape. Frazier is an absolute beast on those run plays. Our guards are getting to the second level, taking out linebackers, and making it happen. There was even one play where Washington nearly blew it up by sending his man flying into the run, and our running back just hurdled him for an 8-yard gain! That’s the kind of chaos Frazier creates.
PFF grades back it up, too. He’s ranking first in the NFL at his position with a 79.5 grade. The whole offensive line has been mauling lately, chilling in the top-10 for both run success rate and lowest quarterback pressure rate. Frazier’s mix of toughness, athleticism, strength, and pure football IQ has been dead center in all our offensive success this season. Unless he or the offense completely fall off a cliff in the second half, a first- or second-team All-Pro nod feels like a lock. He’s got the hype, and more importantly, he’s got the game to back it all up.
The Defense Is Stellar, But “Elite” Is Still Too Strong
Okay, I don’t want to rain on our parade, especially after a way better first half than most people expected, but I gotta be honest about the “E” word. Our defense has been stellar over the last month. We’ve been mostly healthy, too, outside of the Derrick Harmon injury and Jalen Ramsey battling through a fractured wrist. Even DeShon Elliott is back in the mix. But “elite”? Not yet, my friends.
Let’s look at who we’ve faced. The Falcons, led by Cooper Rush, who’s 54th in EPA/Dropback, were 27th in Offensive EPA and 23rd in points per game. Then the Patriots with Drake Maye, who’s 8th in EPA/Dropback, but they were still 16th in points per game. Even Joe Burrow and the Bengals, who are 6th in Offensive EPA, were in there. Our defense has been awesome at times, but we haven’t consistently locked down top-tier offenses. The potential is absolutely there, but we need to see it against the league’s heavy hitters before we throw around “elite.”
As we look to the second half of the season, these narratives are going to be tested hard. Can Frazier keep up his All-Pro pace? Can the defense elevate from “stellar” to “elite” against tougher competition? That’s what we’re all watching for.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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