How Far Can Brilliance of Big Ben, Bell Take Steelers This Postseason?

The Pittsburgh Steelers can be confusing, but in the best way possible. Their brand of offensive confusion in 2016 has led to mounting production from dynamic weapons, 10 wins and an AFC North division title sealed with a dramatic 31-27 Christmas night win over the Baltimore Ravens.

The game, much like the Steelers’ season overall, had its share of knee-shaking offensive explosions. But also much like the Steelers’ season overall, there was plenty of puzzling silence, too.

Which is why as the bubbly starts flowing with Pittsburgh celebrating its fifth division title over the past decade, the time feels right to use this game as a case study to ask a larger playoff question.

Can what we saw Sunday—the continued brilliance from running back Le’Veon Bell that anchored the Steelers offensively, and the late-game heroics from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown—carry the Steelers deep into playoffs and make them a threat to the New England Patriots?

The Patriots should be worried about the Steelers, as they pose a legitimate problem. But that lingering sense of confusion creeps back in whenever there’s a thought about elevating the Steelers to another tier.

It hovers, and it’s almost annoying. A team that’s won six straight games while averaging 26.3 points per game during that stretch shouldn’t have much doubt attached to it. There’s an element of home run swinging to the 2016 Steelers, though, and when they whiff, the ending could be disastrous.

Just as it almost was Sunday. Consider, for example, the split in Roethlisberger’s passing yards:

After their opening-drive touchdown, the Steelers offensive was woefully stagnant, and it didn’t wake up from its winter slumber until three quarters later. But the offense then went from the deepest, most restful sleep to becoming the energetic morning person no one wants in their lives.

That’s the beauty of an offense loaded with several athletically gifted pass-catchers and a running back whose patience and vision is simply unfair. Everything can seem like it’s crumbling for much of the game, and that descent into chaos can even be lowlighted by two Roethlisberger interceptions deep in his own territory.

Then suddenly a switch is flicked, and nitro boosters are engaged.

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