50-YARD LINE

As the Steelers begin their quest for Super Bowl #7, let’s take a look at the 3 facets of the game that the team needs to be victorious. #1 Offense. The Big O always starts up front. Things looked shaky when #1 pick David DeCastro went on IR but thanks to a new rule instituted this season, it will only be for 8 games. Let’s hope the O-Line holds up in the meantime. I like that the Steelers didn’t immediately panic and move Willie Colon back to tackle in the shuffle. They need to stay healthy, though, because there’s not a lot of depth there. We get to see how the new offense performs in the Todd Haley era. Will it fly high or grind it out? Baring any contractual miracles, this is the last year for this receiving corp. Mike Wallace needs to have a big year to get a huge free agent contract next year. Can he get behind the coverage and make things happen? If not, can he at least open it up underneath for Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders? And can they stay healthy? We only have 4 receivers this year. Look for Heath Miller to be his usual, reliable self. Anything else we get out of the tight ends will be gravy. Word is that Jonathan Dwyer may start the Denver game. Issac Redman has been dinged up. Dwyer looks like he can do the job, if he stays healthy. Baron Batch and Chris Rainey both look good but aren’t battle-tested. The offense could be something special this season if it stays healthy. That’s a big IF in today’s NFL. Keep your fingers crossed. Go Steelers!!!!!!