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The defense can create pressure without giving away coverage numbers because it has T.J. Watt. Mike McCarthy can protect Aaron Rodgers with heavy personnel and play action, but the offense does not have enough big-play juice to scare defenses out of crowding the line. Age at quarterback and another system change make the floor less secure than the defense suggests.
See how the PFM category ratings shape Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh's identity starts with a pressure defense built around T.J. Watt and a front.
Aaron Rodgers is the swing factor because the offense changes with his level of play. The pressure point is age and durability at quarterback behind an offense changing systems again.
T.J. Watt and the pass rush give Pittsburgh the slightly more trustworthy side. The 5.8-point difference is almost nothing, which puts even more weight on Aaron Rodgers staying healthy and efficient in a new system.
Pittsburgh sits 25th in explosive-play ability. Aaron Rodgers with Michael Pittman Jr. and the receiving group still need more gains that change the field in one snap.
The Steelers win by running the ball, protecting Rodgers and letting the defense make the opponent earn every drive. Pittsburgh's receiving group has to stay involved.
The Steelers are most exposed in shootouts or long-yardage games where Rodgers has to carry a high-volume passing attack. Those games put a spotlight on age and durability at quarterback behind an offense changing systems again.
Pittsburgh ranks No. 27 in schedule difficulty, with an average opponent PFM Score of 78.4 and 4 games against current top-10 teams. Two of those top-10 matchups are away, while the next 5 opponents average 77.9.
Toughest remaining opponent: 
Philadelphia Eagles at 86.1 PFM.
These are the two closest on-field builds in the PFM ratings. The similarities matter, but so do the differences.
The Vikings are the closest match because both teams need the full roster to carry the week. The Steelers lean on a pressure defense, while the Vikings lean on a disguised-pressure defense. The Vikings bring more big-play punch.
The Texans are another close match because the weekly edge starts with the coaching staff. The Steelers get there through a pressure defense; the Texans are built around a front-four pressure defense. Quarterback is where the Texans create the separation.
Rogers has already stated this will be his final year playing. Does he have another playoff run in him?
Newly acquired Michael Pittman Jr. Should help free up DK Metcalf for more explosive plays.
Baltimore and Cincinnati both have younger, more established quarterback plans. A heavy-personnel play-action plan gives Pittsburgh enough to stay in the race. The remaining problem is age and durability at quarterback behind an offense changing systems again.
Pittsburgh is 6–2 in the Super Bowl and last won in Super Bowl XLIII in 2009.
