HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -- Well, it happened. Perfect no more. The 1972 Dolphins are once again safe to pop the champagne corks. There will be no perfect season in the NFL following the Steelers’ 23-17 loss to Washington.
I’m of the opinion the league is like the movie “Any Given Sunday.” Or, in the case of COVID-19-stricken 2020, it’s any given Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. The Steelers have navigated the schedule changes through virus protocols as well as any team.
Any excuse could have been given had the Steelers fallen prior to Monday afternoon’s game. But if we can be honest with ourselves, as fans and consumers of all things Steelers, this loss has been coming for weeks. I’m not mad about the defeat, not even the slightest. That’s because you could see certain elements of play, like the run game, not working properly. Defensively, injuries are mounting and attrition is taking its toll from a long season.
Let’s keep everything in perspective, however. It’s still only one loss, and the Steelers remain in control of their own destiny atop the AFC.
That’s not to say there isn’t room to improve. Mike Tomlin makes that clear each week. Fans and analysts alike have asked me about the issues surrounding the run game. I wish there was a simple answer, but there are many factors to examine. Let’s start with the basic stats. The Steelers are 22nd in rushing attempts (299), 29th in rushing yards (1,111) and tied for last in yards per carry (3.7) with the Colts, Dolphins and Falcons.
Those numbers seem so foreign for a proud franchise that’s boasted the likes of Franco Harris, Barry Foster, Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker, Le’Veon Bell and, most recently, James Conner.
The need for pointed questions are fair when looking at the inconsistencies this season. If you’re a player in the team meetings, you might say to yourself that it doesn’t matter what the stats or critics say. This team is 11-1 and some fan bases would die for a record that good. But you also have to be honest with yourself and your team and have a “come to Jesus” moment.
Self-evaluation is important, and it’s OK to bluntly say, “If we don’t get this run game going consistently we can be a one-and-done team in the playoffs.” That’s the reality right now — the top teams in the AFC all have very solid running games except for the Dolphins and Steelers.
The best way to correct the run game is to run the ball more often. Let’s stick with it and not solely rely on Ben Roethlisberger and his Hall-of-Fame arm to get us out of every tight situation. The ability to impose your will on someone is what the run game affords you when you stick with it. It’s what has allowed the Browns to build a surprising 9-3 record.
I know the new age of football and the way offenses are run make it routine for teams to throw the quick out routes and screens to gain three to four yards. I’ve heard national commentators even say, “that’s just as good as a run.” That may hold true, but it does nothing to slow down the opposing defensive line. It causes the front seven of the defense to raise their arms and bat down or pop up balls, which can lead to interceptions. Ben has had his share this season, and on Monday afternoon, Montez Sweat deflected three passes, including one that led to a late-game interception.
There are lots of factors at play when diagnosing the running-game woes. It could be a guy here or a guy there simply winning their blocks. Against Washington, I saw a running back run straight into the backs of offensive linemen. It could be a tight end missing his block on an edge rusher at the line of scrimmage that leads to a negative run. We saw that at the goal line with Chase Young getting around a block to stop Benny Snell on fourth down.
There are different issues that must be addressed, but the main one is committing to the ground game. Running the ball this time of the year is a mindset. I don’t think shuffling the starters up front and trying trick plays are the answers. It comes down to everyone being accountable and doing their jobs to get to the next level. No matter how much passing is done in this league, the run game is what everyone relies on to close out tight playoff games. And for the most part, playoff games are closely contested.
The Steelers aren’t a run-heavy team, and they don’t have to be with Ben and his group of talented receivers. Our offensive personnel and scheme doesn’t fit that approach. And, Ben isn’t going to be a runner the way Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray or even Josh Allen is at this point in his career so we can’t expect that to solve our issues.
Even though we see the Steelers running outside-zone plays, that’s not in our tool box to specialize in this late in the year. Yes, it’s fine in spots during the game, but it’s not our specialty. We have been and will continue to be a line-em-up-and-beat-em-up type of running team.
Here’s the point I’m trying to drive home: Just line up and run the ball. Fourteen attempts against Washington when we were either tied or leading most of the game wasn’t nearly enough.
Whatever problems we have aren’t going to be fixed with some other coordinator’s playbook. Our former coordinator Todd Haley was big on "four-down mode," meaning he would run on any down because he believed in the ground game.
It doesn’t matter what happens because you’re going to smash faces every single play, and that includes every person on the field. It’s not gone be perfect, and we’re not going to lead the league in rushing, but it’s our responsibility to make it work.