For the first time in a long time, Pittsburgh owns a winning baseball team in the midst of a postseason push.

It’s a good thing, too, because it seems black and gold football might not treat its fans to the same experience.

The Pittsburgh Steelers opened the regular season in disappointing fashion on Sunday with a 16-9 defeat to the Tennessee Titans.

It’s only one loss — no reason to hit the panic button — but the manner in which the Steelers were slain is a concern.

The defense was dandy, allowing only 229 yards and one touchdown. The offense, however, was downright dreadful.

When the two-minute warning hit in the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh’s offense had accounted for zero points. A gift safety on the opening kickoff and a fourth-down touchdown pass with 1:26 to play resulted in a feeble nine points for the Steelers.

The Week 1 offensive performance resembled the perennial doormat Cleveland Browns and their revolving door behind center. It looked nothing like a team rich in tradition equipped with a two-time Super Bowl-winning franchise QB.

Quarterbacks tend to receive too much credit and too much blame for a team’s fortunes. If the Steelers continue to struggle in 2013, it won’t be due to Ben Roethlisberger. He is a proven performer.

The supporting cast — or lack thereof — will be responsible for the success of Pittsburgh’s season. It didn’t provide Big Ben with much assistance on Sunday.

The Steelers were held to single digits for the first time since Roethlisberger was helplessly hobbled in a 20-3 loss to San Francisco on Dec. 19, 2011.

The Steelers were held to under 200 yards of offense for the first time since Dennis Dixon started at QB in a 19-11 win over the Titans on Sept. 19, 2010. The last time the Steelers were under 200 yards with Roethlisberger under center was Sept. 21, 2008 in a 15-6 loss to Philadelphia, which totaled nine sacks.

The Steelers mustered only 32 rushing yards. It was the lowest output since Nov. 26, 2006, in a 27-0 loss to Baltimore.

The looming returns of rookie running back Le’Veon Bell and Pro Bowl tight end Heath Miller could significantly boost Pittsburgh’s attack, but the season-ending injuries to All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey and versatile running back LaRod Stephens-Howling have piled on to the Steelers’ early offensive woes.

Pouncey was the rock in the middle of an inexperienced offensive line. Stephens-Howling was going to be a contributor, specifically in the passing and return game. Now, the Steelers are forced to find replacements in areas the team was already thin.

A quick improvement is possible, but won’t be easy.

For the first time in a long time, Pittsburgh baseball could be more relevant than football come October.

Jason Orfao is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.