Sep 5, 2015 4 min read

When the Steelers opened training camp about a month and a half ago – yes, it has been that long – it was assumed their offense would have to carry the defense until the latter got up to speed.

It was assumed the offense, with stars at every skill position and an improving offensive line that was returning intact, would take a big step forward. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley each said they expected to average 30 points per game, and nobody thought they were crazy for saying so.

That was before the Steelers started playing preseason games, went through three placekickers and saw center Maurkice Pouncey break his leg, an injury that will keep him out of action for at least half the season.

It also was before it was learned that emerging wide receiver Martavis Bryant would be forced to sit out the first four games of the season for a violation of the NFL drug policy.

We already knew the Steelers would be without running back Le’Veon Bell, who is suspended for the first two games for a DUI and marujuana possession. But with veteran running back DeAngelo Williams signed, that was considered an obstacle the Steelers could overcome.

But the injuries to Pouncey and suspension of Bryant certainly muddy the water.

Then again, Haley and Roethlisberger knew Bryant was likely facing suspension when they made their 30-point prediction. And the Steelers did average 27.3 points per game last season when Bryant didn’t play in the first six games.

So maybe Roethlisberger and Haley are right.

They better be.

From what we have seen – or haven’t seen, to be correct – from the defense in the preseason, it might take longer than expected for that unit to even be considered average.

A spate of minor injuries has kept inside linebackers Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier, safeties Mike Mitchell and Shamarko Thomas, cornerback Cortez Allen, outside linebacker Jarvis Jones and defensive end Stephon Tuitt off the field at various times during training camp.

We haven’t had much of an opportunity to see what the unit might look like with all 11 starters who will line up Thursday at New England.

That is troubling, especially since the Steelers are doing some different things, particularly in the secondary.

And with the offense hampered early in the season, it could lead to a bit of a slow start.

The offense should still be among the most dynamic in the league. Roethlisberger, Bell and receiver Antonio Bryant were the first trio to finish in the top two at their respective positions in yardage in a season. And they all might be better this year, which should help the Steelers to a 9-7 finish.

A slow start could doom Pittsburgh to a second-place finish in the ultra-tough AFC North, where Marvin Lewis’ team in Cincinnati looks like the team to beat.

The Bengals have perhaps the best roster not only in the division, but the AFC. The one exception is at quarterback, where Andy Dalton remains an enigma. It has been a fatal flaw for the Bengals in the playoffs.

Cincinnati will again ride a tough defense and strong running game to the AFC North title, edging the Steelers.

Baltimore, with a lack of offensive weapons and a defense that lost some key starters, including Haloti Ngata, will finish third followed by the Cleveland Browns.

But expect the Steelers to sneak into the playoffs, despite a tough schedule, as a wild card.

The other division champions in the AFC will be New England in the East, Indianapolis in the Central and Kansas City in the West, with the other wild card going to Miami and head coach Joe Philbin, a W&J gradaute.

That’s right, no Peyton Manning and Denver.

In the NFC, Philadelphia, Green Bay, Atlanta and Seattle will be the division winners with Dallas and Minnesota getting into the postseason as wild cards.

And it will be Philadelphia beating Indianapolis in the Super Bowl.

The Steelers could challenge if the defense progresses quicker than expected. But there are so many question marks that even head coach Mike Tomlin can’t be sure what he has with his defense.

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.