The Steelers’ defense is obviously the strength of their team.  They rank 1st or 2nd in just about every meaningful defensive statistic.  Meanwhile their offense only generates 22 points per game, 5.2 yards per play, and 3.7 yards per rush, ranking between 20th and 29th in those important categories.

But the Steelers offense should not be classified as mediocre.  They played a few bad weather games that naturally held down their offensive production.  More importantly, they played a schedule loaded with stellar opposing defenses.

The Steelers were the #1 scoring defense in the league.   The 2nd through 8th best scoring defenses were the Titans, Ravens, Eagles, Giants, Redskins, Colts, and Patriots.  Pittsburgh played every one of those teams, facing off against the Ravens three times.

All told, the Steelers played 9 of their 18 games against the next 7 best scoring teams in the league.  Consider the fierce competition before being too critical of Pittsburgh’s lack of offensive production this season.