7 key storylines for Week 5 of the 2018 NFL season

The first month of the season is in the books and divisional races are shaping up. Week 5 of the 2018 NFL season has seven key storylines that can swing how the rest of the year goes.

The quarter-mark of the 2018 NFL season has passed by already, and it’s shaping up to be a furious dash the rest of the way if the season continues the way it’s been going. Results have been unpredictable, and injuries have already started to affect team outlooks. Another wave of adjustments is coming as bye weeks began last week.

There’s still time for middling teams to find their stride and create a winning streak. But the NFC East is the only division that doesn’t have a 3-1 or 4-0 division leader, so falling behind now is costly.

There are seven key storylines this week based on the matchups and possible implications. Some are going to have a significant swing in the playoff race, while others could determine job status in the near future.

Let’s take a look at the storylines and give some predictions.

7. The Steelers are in a must-win game

It’s been a nightmarish start to the year for the Steelers. They’ve slipped to 1-2-1 with an uneven offensive and terrible defense, and the schedule doesn’t ease up at any point this season. Hosting Atlanta this week, the Steelers are in a must-win situation.

Last year’s defensive improvement was short-lived, as the Steelers are hovering near the bottom of the league in major statistical benchmarks and 19th in DVOA. The secondary has been a major source of mistakes and disappointment despite continued resources and youth being allocated into the group. And the pass-rush has manufactured just six sacks since obliterating Tyrod Taylor seven times in the opener.

But it’s not like prior years where the offense picked up the slack. They’ve missed Le’Veon Bell’s ability to draw defenders’ attention in key situations, and their pathetic 15/49 third-down conversion rate reflects some of the difference between him and James Conner.

Their matchup with Atlanta is likely to be an offensive struggle. The Falcons can’t get stops as the middle of their defense has been decimated by season-ending injuries, meaning the Steelers need to utilize Conner, Vance McDonald, and Antonio Brown between the hashes as much as possible.

Atlanta will put up points with ease unless the Steelers suddenly figure out that having Artie Burns play press-man and replacing Joe Haden with Cameron Sutton would help a little bit. It may not be enough even with that.

Still, Atlanta’s lacking the defensive presence they were built for, so Pittsburgh should get enough on the board to earn the win.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 38-35