Those stated goals of scoring 30 points in a game and allowing 17 were realized in the Steelers’ first preseason encounter. Right on the button, 30-17.
Only it was the Detroit Lions who hit those numbers on offense and defense against the Steelers. The Philadelphia Eagles would seem to have a chance to hold down that Steelers offense again tonight, what with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown and running backs Le’Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams all being held out for a second consecutive preseason game.
But Mike Tomlin’s reason is sound for his unprecedented benching of those offensive players. He would prefer they be healthy and ready to go Sept. 12 in Washington to start attacking that 30-point-per game goal for real.
They came up short, on average, last season. In fact, the Steelers never have averaged 30 points a game over a season. They came closest in 2014, when they set a team record with 436 points, or an average of 27.25 per game. Close, but not quite there.
They scored 423 points last season, which was more impressive because of the injuries and various absences of Roethlisberger, Bell and center Maurkice Pouncey, among others.
So, averaging those 30 for the first time in their history should not be out of question.
“I think it’s attainable,” Roethlisberger said. “If we stay healthy and we play good football, I think we have the personnel to do it.”
It’s not as if averaging 30 points over the course of a season never has been done. NFL teams did it 35 times (the Steelers’ 27.25 average in 2014 ranks 95th best ever).
The first to do it were the Dallas Cowboys (31.8 points per game) of the NFL and Kansas City Chiefs (32.0) of the AFL in 1966. The most recent were the Carolina Panthers (31.3) and Arizona Cardinals (30.6) last season. The record-holders are the 2013 Denver Broncos (37.9).
None of those teams, however, won the Super Bowl in those seasons. Denver, Kansas City and Carolina came closest, losing in the big game. Of the 35 teams who have averaged at least 30 points a game, five went on to win the Super Bowl the same season.
So, while averaging 30 points a game might not be a panacea, it is more important to these Steelers because their defense is not close to those that helped produce their six Lombardi trophies.
They might have challenged for that 30-point average and a seventh Lombardi had they not had all those injuries last season. But those are as part of the game as the proper amount of air they pump into a football. And already, one exhibition game and less than three weeks of training camp, the Steelers are losing players again on offense.
Wide receiver Martavis Bryant is suspended for the season. Tight end Heath Miller retired, and his premium free-agent replacement, Ladarius Green, is still fighting through headaches that have kept him away from practice all spring and summer. Bell still awaits a hearing on his appeal of a four-game suspension. The two receivers counted on to pick up Bryant’s slack are Markus Wheaton, who has not practiced much because of injury, and Sammie Coates, who had a disastrous first preseason game.
It is no wonder Tomlin wants to protect Roethlisberger, Brown, Bell, et al., for as long as he can.
“I’m pretty sure Ben doesn’t need very many reps,” said Bell, who had surgery on two ligament tears that prematurely ended his 2015 season. “If they throw me out there, I’ll obviously be ready. It’s just going to be me getting tackled for the first time. I understand coaches don’t want me to get tackled in the preseason, but once I get tackled for the first time, it will bring me back to normal and I’ll be fine.”
His teammates are well aware of Bell’s value, especially with their memories fresh from the 2015 wounded season.
“You start losing guys like that, it’s tough,” guard David DeCastro said. “It’s frustrating; you want to have everybody there, but then again, we’re used to it, sadly. Guys step up. DeAngelo is more than capable.”
And that is why Williams, 33, will not play tonight, either.
But tonight’s second preseason game is not the issue. It is whether the offense can truly dominate in the regular season and drag a below-average defense along for the ride.
“Of course,” Bell said as to whether his offense might be the best in the league. “We have playmakers everywhere. We have the best quarterback. We’re definitely going to have opportunities to make plays. The offensive line, they’re doing a great job, and it is only going to get better — it’s going to make my job easier, obviously Ben’s job easier, everyone else’s job easier.”
Ed Bouchette: ebouchette@post-gazette.com and Twitter @EdBouchette.
First Published: August 18, 2016, 4:00 a.m.