This is not what the city of Pittsburgh was expecting.
The Steelers have gotten off to an 0-3 start, largely due in part to a season-ending injury to Ben Roethlisberger. Now, with their season hanging in the balance, they will play host to the Cincinnati Bengals as they look for their first win next Monday.
While Pittsburgh's problems run deeper than quarterback, it's obvious that the lack of Roethlisberger under center has completely thrown the offense off-kilter.
The Steelers are probably done no matter what they do this week, but nevertheless, here are three burning questions for Pittsburgh heading into Week 4.
3. Will A Receiver Other Than JuJu Smith-Schuster Step Up?
The Steelers came into this season expecting Donte Moncrief to be their No. 2 receiver behind JuJu Smith-Schuster. That ended swiftly, as Moncrief has been inactive each of the last two years.
Second-year wide out James Washington has not been much better, as he has logged just six catches through three weeks.
It seems like rookie Diontae Johnson may actually end up sneaking into the role, as he caught six passes for 52 yards and a touchdown this past Sunday, but unless he surprisingly busts out, the Steelers are going to have a lot of problems with their receiving corps.
Perhaps Pittsburgh shouldn't have relied so heavily on Moncrief, because after Smith-Schuster, the rest of the Steelers' receivers have been an abject disaster thus far.
2. How Much Potential Does Mason Rudolph Have?
The Steelers drafted Mason Rudolph in the third round last year, so they must think somewhat highly of him.
He actually hasn't looked bad since taking over for Roethlisberger midway through Pittsburgh's Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, throwing four touchdowns as opposed to two interceptions, but it's also obvious that he is very raw.
At 6-foot-5, Rudolph has great size for the position, but his questionable arm strength doesn't inspire much confidence that he can be a long-term answer for the Steelers under center once Roethlisberger retires (or for the remainder of this season).
He put up decent numbers at Oklahoma State, completing 65 percent of his passes while throwing 37 touchdowns and just nine picks during his senior year, but college numbers don't always translate into the pros.
Fortunately for Rudolph, the Bengals don't exactly have a strong defense, so he should get an opportunity to show his stuff (if he has anything) in front of a national TV audience next Monday.
1. Where Is the Defense?
A lot was made of what was supposed to be an improved Steelers defense, but thus far, it has been absolutely cataclysmic.
Pittsburgh ranks 29th in the NFL in yards allowed and 28th in scoring defense, a problem that would exist even if Roethlisberger were healthy.
In spite of having a number of adequate to really good pass rushers, the Steelers have totaled just six sacks over the first three weeks, and that lack of production has had a trickle-down effect on the rest of the defense.
We can't just blame the lack of a pass rush, because Pittsburgh's defense has been bad all around, but putting pressure on the quarterback would certainly mask a lot of the club's other issues.
Can the Steelers finally put together a strong defensive performance at home?
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