Steelers Offense Shines Bright Even As Playoff Hopes Dim

Even as their playoff hopes dim, the Pittsburgh Steelers have to be excited about their offensive performance this season.

What began as a season with many questions has reached the final turn with most of those queries answered.

Let's break down some of those questions and answers on the eve of Pittsburgh's important matchup with the Cleveland Browns.

Offensive Line

Entering the 2009 season, one of the biggest and most asked questions surrounding Pittsburgh's offense was whether or not the offensive line, maligned for much of the 2008 season, could protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and open holes for the team's stable of running backs.

The answer became clear during the team's Week Three loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Steelers' linemen could indeed do their jobs.

Chris Kemoeatu has emerged as a talented blocker and now runs many of the trademark blocking schemes that Alan Faneca did during his Steelers tenure.

Max Starks and Trai Essex have emerged as important pieces as well. Essex took over after a season-ending injury to Darnell Stapleton and has been solid ever since. Starks is playing well at the extremely important left tackle position, replacing longtime staple Marvel Smith.

Willie Colon and Justin Hartwig have been solid returnees, although Colon's mental lapses are becoming legendary. Hartwig has been solid since coming aboard after the 2007 season and should be one of the team's focuses in free agency this offseason.

The Steelers have allowed a total of 30 sacks on Ben Roethlisberger, but many of those can be attributed to his style of play and not a breakdown in protection. Roethlisberger often holds onto the ball and evades pressure, so his sack totals will be higher than average.

Rashard Mendenhall is on pace to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark in his second season and first as a starter. The rushing attack has been on fire since he took over for Willie Parker in Week Four.

Running Game

Many wondered if Willie Parker had lost a step when he broke his fibula late in the 2007 season. In 2008, he played in 11 games and ran for 791 yards. 

Early on, it was clear that Parker had indeed become both injury prone and markedly slower. While he still shows flashes of the Willie Parker of old, he is no longer a viable starting option for the Steelers.

Parker is now the back who keeps starter Rashard Mendenhall fresh. He will likely depart after this season for greener pastures, but his best years may be behind him now. He has been injured and ineffective this season, seemingly best suited for a part-time role.

The other question was if Rashard Mendenhall, who garnered all of 19 carries in his rookie season, could become the team's top rusher and be an effective running back. There were questions about his preparation and toughness.

When Mike Tomlin benched Mendenhall for the team's Week Three matchup with Cincinnati, he cited a poor week of practice and preparation as his reasoning.

It proved to be a turning point for Mendenhall, who hasn't looked back since and has proven that he can be a feature back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mendenhall gives the Steelers two things that Parker did not. He is an effective receiver out of the backfield and he can run between the tackles with speed and elusiveness. He is a complete back.

Passing Game

Ben Roethlisberger regressed from career totals in 2007 to have a championship season in 2008. The question going into the 2009 season was whether or not he would put up better totals.

Not only has Roethlisberger surpassed his 2008 season in virtually every category, he has also proven that he can be the trigger man for a suddenly balanced Steelers' offense.

The Steelers have passed more in 2009, finally balancing the run/pass equation that for decades has tilted heavily toward the latter. Pittsburgh proved to be a formidable opponent offensively thanks to his improved play.

The bigger questions centered on the wide receivers.

Would Hines Ward prove that he could still be effective after an injury-plagued postseason? Would Limas Sweed step up and take over as a favorite target of Ben Roethlisberger?

Yes, to the first and no, to the second.

Ward proved that he could bounce back and still be one of the league's top receivers. Ward is on pace to have a career season and has still managed to be a devastating blocker for the Steelers. He looks young and, despite a recent hamstring injury, very healthy. He looks to have plenty left in the tank.

Sweed, conversely, fell apart early and has seen more of the bench than the field since. After winning the third receiver's job in training camp, he surrendered it to surprising rookie Mike Wallace after dropping a key touchdown in Cincinnati.

Sweed will likely get another look down the stretch, but it's unlikely he will remain with the Steelers unless he has a tremendous four games. With Ward out tomorrow, he has a chance to step in and show off his skills.

The Bottom Line

Pittsburgh may have stumbled to 6-6, but the offense cannot take much of the heat. They've been productive and successful in almost every game this year and have improved with every contest.

There's a lot to build on from 2009, so Pittsburgh should be excited for the offense's future prospects!