Pittsburgh Steelers: 5-1 Is Nice, but Here Are Four Questions To Ponder

The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached 5-1. For a team that spent four weeks without its starting quarterback, that's phenomenal work.

No team faced quite as much adversity during an offseason which included two stars' legal troubles, one Super Bowl MVP (Santonio Holmes) shipped off for a paltry draft choice, and lots of questions about organizational integrity and direction.

Now, those questions have been put to rest and the team has not only overcome its adversity, it has positioned itself atop the AFC and even atop the NFL as the team to beat.

But before we get carried away and discuss a seventh title or even just another playoff appearance, let's take a look at some of the questions that still surround the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Red Zone Efficiency?

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NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 19: Isaac Redman #33 of the Pittsburgh Steelers breaks away from Jacob Ford #78 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field on September 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The Steelers are developing a penchant for launching long bombs to their receivers. Mike Wallace has three touchdowns of 40 or more yards already. That's phenomenal and proves that Wallace has emerged as a top NFL wideout.

But when the Steelers get in close to the goal line, they still aren't producing at the clip you'd expect. They came up empty in the red zone three times on Sunday. That gives them seven scores in 18 red zone trips.

38% efficiency for an offense that seems able to easily score from further out? That's poor.

The play calling, which we'll discuss later, gets a bit one-dimensional inside the 20. Bruce Arians goes to a mostly run-heavy set and tries to pound out the last 20 yards. That allows teams to load up the box and stuff running backs Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman.

The good news is that, when the Steelers are in goal-to-go situations (starting inside the ten), they are four for five. That's a major improvement over previous seasons, where the Steelers would flame out close to an end zone.

The red zone problems need to be fixed. The easiest way would be to utilize some play action down in that area. It also wouldn't hurt to have a few quarterback runs or some other misdirection-type plays available.

Defensive Finishes?

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 03: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 3, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Arguably the league's best defense plays in Pittsburgh. Along with the Jets, the Steelers have defined bruising, stingy defense this season.

The problem I'm seeing is that this team doesn't always know how to finish.

It became a huge problem last year, when the Polamalu-less Steelers often failed to hold opposing offenses in the third and fourth quarters.

This season, the problem hasn't been as noticeable, but the team has a habit of allowing a late touchdown or field goal. Unchecked, that could eventually come back to haunt them.

It was encouraging on Sunday to see the Steelers completely shut down the Dolphins' offense after the controversial fumble ruling and subsequent field goal gave the Steelers a 23-22 lead. That, however, is the first time the Steelers' defense has unquestionably finished off a game with a huge stop.

They've allowed Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, and Atlanta to score late against them. In the Baltimore game, that proved to be enough to cost them a chance at being undefeated. Atlanta forced overtime with their late field goal. The other two games weren't nearly as close, but the late scores still represent a worrisome trend.

As a whole, the defense has done well. They are one of the scariest units in the NFL once again. It's fortunate that only some nitpicking reveals any weaknesses.

As for fixing this, how about a little less prevent and some more linebacker blitzes late in games? Instead of backing off and trying to finish, let's start really putting opponents out for the count.

Roethlisberger Wildness?

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 passes against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Ben Roethlisberger has returned from his four game suspension in better shape than ever before. He's also looking stronger and tougher this year. He's even become a better teammate and leader.

But he's got one issue that's bothering me. Some of his throws, even when he's not under pressure, are very wild.

In his first game back, he overthrew Mike Wallace twice. That's no easy task if you consider that Wallace is one of the NFL's fastest players. Both times he overthrew high. That's unusual for Roethlisberger, who's accuracy has consistently been a trademark.

In Miami, he also overthrew open receivers high a few times. He missed Wallace again. Once again, he was under no pressure.

I'm curious if this is just a bit of rust or if this is some kind of timing problem. Until it appears in another game or two, I'm going to say it's probably nothing more than some rust. He needs to knock it off, however, before one or two of those high passes come down in the arms of a defender.

This is a small concern considering that Roethlisberger has five touchdown passes and only one pick since his return, but it's just one of those little things that could accidentally cost this team a win as the schedule toughens up in the coming weeks.

Reed at Home?

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 12: Jeff Reed #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks onto the field to punt, minutes after missing a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL season opener game on September 12, 2010 at Heinz Field i

Jeff Reed has been one of the best kickers in the NFL since the Steelers discovered him in a 2002 tryout. He's also been the unquestionable expert when it comes to kicking at Heinz Field, where winds often give kickers a run for their money.

He was the expert until this season. He's missed four kicks at home so far. One of those came from well beyond 50 yards. At Heinz Field, that's not usually an easy kick. But the other three were all well within Reed's usual range.

Suddenly, the master seems to have lost his groove.

Reed has been vilified for an offseason contract dispute and some snide comments during camp, but he's not doing himself any favors by missing kicks at home. He's supposed to be the team's edge. Instead, he's cost the Steelers in big situations.

He didn't get an attempt at home against the Browns and he's been steady on the road. When the team returns home in a couple of weeks, he will need to be clutch once again to eliminate questions about his ability.

The shame of it is, Reed is having an excellent season other than his home field goals. He's increased the power of his kickoffs greatly this year and he's been clutch on the road. Solve this problem, and he'll likely be in line for a new contract this year.