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Just like that, in the blink of an eye, a quarter of the NFL schedule is in the books. It flies by, and if you don't stop to smell the roses it will be the dreaded offseason before you know it. Nonetheless, with 4 games already in the rear view mirror, it is time to assess the Pittsburgh Steelers' play through the first quarter. Clearly they are 2-2, and right in the thick of things within the AFC North and AFC pictures.
The Steelers start of the season certainly has been a roller coaster ride of epic proportions. Starting the season off against the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots was difficult enough, but doing so without Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant brought forth even more concern. The team struggled on defense against Tom Brady and company, but as most believed, made enough plays for the team to possibly win.
Still without Bell and Bryant, the Steelers returned home to face the San Francisco 49ers, and dominated the game from start to finish. The Steelers were able to rack up 43 points, while the defense held the 49ers to just 18 points behind a massive performance by Ryan Shazier. Shazier would leave the game with a shoulder injury, which would put him on the sideline for the rest of the first quarter of the season.
Bell's return to the lineup in Week 3 against the St. Louis Rams was trumped by the loss of Ben Roethlisberger to a knee injury. Despite a stellar showing from the Pittsburgh defense, the future was very much in doubt with Michael Vick under center. The high powered offense was only able to produce 12 points in 4 quarters, and those struggles would continue into their Week 4 game.
Week 4 saw the first time Vick would start for the Steelers, and results were very much hit-and-miss as the Steelers would drop a heart breaker to the Baltimore Ravens in overtime at Heinz Field on Thursday Night Football.
When grading this team, a lot has to be considered. The play of the players, injuries and suspensions which altered the lineup, coaching of the coaches and some front office decisions which have impacted the team in one way or another (signing Josh Scobee). Take the time to grade the team in the poll below, and let us know in the comments just why you gave the grade you assigned the 2015 Steelers for the first quarter of the season.
BTSC 1st Quarter Grade: B-