Throughout the week, different parts of the Steelers' offense has been dissected by media and fans alike. Why?
Through the first three weeks of the season, the offense is 19th in points per game, 23rd in rushing, 28th in passing and 30th in yards per play. More important, the team's 1-2, and it's a Minkah Fitzpatrick blocked PAT away from 0-3.
The dissection of the offense has been warranted due to a vastly underwhelming performance thus far. Mitch Trubisky's 5.5 yards per attempt is the lowest in the NFL. Matt Canada's playcalling has come under severe criticism, especially in the 29-17 loss to the Browns where the offense abandoned the run game in the second half after it was the catalyst for two touchdown drives in the first half.
As the criticism has grown louder, Mike Tomlin has continued to say his team will tune out the noise. And every single person that's spoken to the media -- Trubisky, Canada, Cam Heyward -- have all echoed the same message. All the offense is focusing on is their belief -- their resolve -- in each other and continued improvement.
Forget what anyone outside the locker room has to say.
But one Steelers captain didn't speak with the media until Friday, and he was a bit more vocal about "the noise." Najee Harris jogged off the practice field Friday, went straight down the hallway to the locker room and immediately went over to the podium to address all of the criticism directed towards every individual group within the offense:
"The social media and the interviewers ... you guys are just breaking us apart because you guys are asking questions like this," Harris said. "We're at a point where we're building right now. We're working on it. But you guys come in here and ask questions about all the receivers, all the guys and Mitch about what's not working -- that's not how you build. That's not how you get better. You guys are breaking us up and we need to find a way where we can just stay together and come together as a team and focus on what matters the most. The playcalling, all of that, is fine. It’s just us executing. You guys keep blaming other people. It’s us in this locker room. We all need to come together and focus on what we need to improve on."
Save for Tomlin, this is the most candid any player or coach has been in a formal setting this season, and that includes a bit of accountability on Canada's part from his Thursday availability when was asked to divulge any reasons internally discussed about what's gone wrong thus far.
"I'm not gonna come up here and say this should have happened, that should have happened," Canada said. "I'm in charge, we're not producing. So I'm good with that. I don't want that to come off being short. (But) I'm not going to do that. We had a great meeting Monday. We're not where we want to be. The players see it. We know where we are. We coach in that room, but I'm not gonna do that out here. That probably came off short, and I shouldn't have been that way. Your question is fair, but I'm not going to do that out here. We do that inside. I feel really good that we've made the corrections we need to make. But until we see it on Sundays, it doesn't matter."
If you're looking for signs that the Steelers' offense is making strides forward, the collection of media availabilities this week might be the first shred of evidence that this group is capable of a collective step forward. It's clear the offense hasn't been on the same page nearly enough on the field thus far. But, they have been in sync with each other all week. And they're doing it while showing some teeth.
I've spoken with several offensive players this week. Some in formal settings. Some one-on-one. Just about everything has boiled down to execution, and a lot of that has come with a heavy helping of accountability. Earlier this week, Trubisky said he needs to make plays and get the ball to the playmakers on the outside. On Friday, Harris was very transparent about how he needs to improve in order for the running game to progress.
"It’s more about how much I need to improve on," Harris said. "You know, we’re talking bad about the O-Line everywhere, but it’s not the O-Line. I think the O-Line did a really good job last week. And actually starting with the Patriots, they did a good job of controlling what they can control. It comes down to me. I need to do more and trust them."
"It just comes down to executing plays, and trusting the quarterback to make the right decision," Diontae Johnson told me about the receivers. "We need to make sure we're in the right spot at the right time making plays, making the quarterback look good and have the urgency to be great out there. Everybody wants to be great and succeed."
Urgency is key this week. Not that any team should take another team lightly, and at 1-2, the Steelers don't have the luxury to do so. But, a matchup at home with the 1-2 Jets might be what this team needs to take a significant step forward. We've heard Tomlin & Co. talk about how the offense has improved each week. With five very difficult games following Sunday, the Steelers have a golden opportunity to display that urgency and take a larger step closer to the offense they keep telling everyone they can be.
"There’s always urgency," Trubisky said. "Mentality-wise, you’ve gotta take it one day at a time. How much can you get out of each day. Just try to get 1 percent, 2 percent better each day. Continue to build this thing, and not try to look too far ahead. We’re focused on the task at hand, which is having a great practice today. When we get to Sunday, we’ll get to Sunday. I think that’s how you continue to have more detailed and better work every single day. Just continue to focus on the task at hand."
There's a lot of football left to be played this season. Even after the Jets leave town Sunday evening, the Steelers have 13 games remaining. Pretty soon, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year will rejoin the defense and make that side of the ball one of the better units in the game. And while the offense has taken small steps forward, they need to be the group the leads the team away from a 1-3 start.
If there's been one positive takeaway from this week: This offense is at least galvanized in their belief in each other. Now, it's about taking that cohesion and producing tangible results. Otherwise, the noise will only continue to grow louder. And they may come in the form of "KEN-NY, KEN-NY, KEN-NY" chants.
"As long as our trajectory is going forward," Harris said, "that's all that matters."
THE ESSENTIALS
• Who: Steelers (1-2) vs. Jets (1-2)
• What: Week 4, regular season
• When: Sunday, 1:02 p.m.
• Where: Acrisure Stadium
• Weather: 63°, 49% rain
• Lots open: 8 a.m.
• Gates open: 11 a.m.
• TV: KDKA-TV, CBS (national)
• Radio: 102.5 WDVE, ESPN Pittsburgh
• Streaming: Steelers Nation Radio
• Satellite: Sirius XM 233, online 826
• Boxscore: DKPS
• Team media guides: Steelers | Jets
• Official game notes: Steelers | Jets
THE INJURY REPORTS
• Steelers: S Minkah Fitzpatrick (concussion protocol), G Kevin Dotson (ankle), P Pressley Harvin (left hip) and DT Larry Ogunjobi (non-injury/rest) were full participants in Friday's practice, and are good to go against the Jets. CB Cam Sutton (groin) was limited Friday, but does not have an injury designation, so it appears he's good to go as well. CB Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) did not practice all week and has been ruled out.
• Jets: LB Quincy Williams (ankle) did not practice all week and has been ruled out. CB Brandin Echols (hamstring) is questionable after two days of limited participation in practice and one day a full participation. DL John Franklin-Myers (toe) was a full participant the past two days and does not have an injury designation. QB Zach Wilson (knee) was a full participant all week and is expected to start Sunday.
• On Saturday, the Steelers elevated LB Ryan Anderson and CB Josh Jackson from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive roster.
THE KEY VARIABLE
The Steelers' pass rush has not been the same since T.J. Watt went on the injured/reserve list with a torn pec. After racking up seven sacks to open the season, Pittsburgh failed to sack Mac Jones in Week 2 and only took down Jacoby Brissett twice in Cleveland. However, this week could be the perfect opportunity to get this pass rush going.
The Jets have dealt with horrible luck on their offensive line, specifically at tackle. They lost Mekhi Becton for the season in August. After signing Duane Brown to fill in for Becton, he went to IR with a shoulder injury prior to the start of the season. Now, the Jets this week placed left tackle George Fant on IR with a knee injury.
Rookie Max Mitchell has already been starting at right tackle this season and six-year veteran Conor McDermott filled in for Fant last week. The Jets this week signed Cedric Ogbuehi to the active roster and added Mike Remmers to the practice squad. Both tackles have experience, but aren't free agents in late September without reason.
The Steelers need to take advantage of the weakened offensive line and wreak havoc on Zach Wilson in the backfield. Make the young quarterback uncomfortable, especially with this being his first game of the season after a knee injury sidelined him for the first three weeks.
Alex Highsmith has had a solid season thus far as he leads the NFL with 4.5 sacks. Malik Reed, who was acquired from the Broncos prior to the start of the season, has been thrust into a bigger role since Watt went down, but is determined to make a larger impact as he gets more comfortable in a new defense.
"I'm learning every game," Reed told me. "It's a new system, but football is football at the end of the day. Techniques are the same, it's just the terminology is a little different. I'm getting a little more comfortable every week, and I'm excited for this opportunity."
The pass rush could also be huge this week because Wilson presents a much different skill set than Joe Flacco, who has been under center for the Jets so far. The two most significant challenges with facing Wilson are mobility and unfamiliarity.
"We haven't been in the stadium with him and so there are some unknowns," Tomlin said. "His mobility is dramatically different than Joe's and presents some different challenges from that perspective.There will be a get-to-know if you will, but obviously, mobility and some other things as it pertains to him is a mystery for them as well because he hasn’t played. So, we’re getting ready with all of those things being understood."
THE HISTORY LESSON
"Can't wait."
Those were Bart Scott's words in response to Sal Paolantonio offering congratulations and saying, "See you in Pittsburgh" after the Jets upset the Patriots in the 2010 AFC Divisional playoff.
That set the stage for an emotional AFC Championship game at Acrisure Stadium (then named Heinz Field). Not only did the Jets pull off a surprising upset, the Steelers were coming off an incredible 31-24 win over the Ravens in the Divisional round -- a game Pittsburgh trailed, 21-7, at halftime.
This time around, the Steelers were the ones who jumped out to a big lead in the first half. The Steelers opened the game with an incredible 15-play drive that took 9:06 off the clock and ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Rashard Mendenhall.
In the second quarter, a Shaun Suisham field goal made it a 10-0 game, then Ben Roethlisberger punched in a rushing touchdown of his own to put the Steelers ahead, 17-0, just before the two-minute warning.
The Jets tried to salvage some points on the ensuing drive. However, the Steelers' defense came up with the play of the game as Ike Taylor hit Mark Sanchez on a corner blitz, forcing a fumble just before his hand went forward for an incomplete pass. William Gay picked up the loose football and ran it back for a touchdown, giving the Steelers a 24-0 lead. The Jets did manage to drive down the field and kick a field goal before halftime.
Just as the Steelers did to the Ravens a week prior, the Jets turned the game on its head in the second half. New York opened the third quarter with a quick touchdown, making it a two-score game. After the two sides turned in failed drives, including an interception thrown by Roethlisberger, the Jets drove down the field and got first and goal at the Steelers' 2-yard line. But, the defense stood tall, stopping them on four straight tries as the Jets turned the ball over on downs at the 1-yard line.
However, the Jets scored a safety on the very first play of the Steelers' ensuing drive, making it a 24-12 game. New York fully capitalized on the safety, taking the ball down the field and this time getting the ball in the end zone on a 4-yard pass from Sanchez to Jerricho Cotchery. All of a sudden, it was a five-point game with just over three minutes remaining in the game.
Unlike the Steelers did against the Ravens, the Jets ran out of time. Roethlisberger and the Steelers' offense made sure the Jets wouldn't have the opportunity to come back in the game. The play that clinched the game was a 14-yard completion to Antonio Brown on third and 6. There was less than two minutes remaining when the Steelers converted the third down, and New York was out of timeouts.
The win secured Pittsburgh's third AFC championship in six years, and sent the Steelers to their eighth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
THE MAIN MATCHUP
I asked Canada this week where there have been tangible improvements on offense.
"I would probably focus on the offensive line," Canada replied. "Going back to coming out of the Jacksonville preseason game, where everything was 'oh, my gosh,' I think our line has gotten better every week."
Just about everyone else in the locker room thinks so too. And it's no coincidence that the two most productive and efficient drives this season came when this team ran the football effectively. It won't come easy against the Jets.
C.J. Mosely is a tackling machine -- he's on pace for 170 tackles this season. The Browns may have had their way on the ground against New York (184 yards), but the Jets held the Ravens to 63 yards on the ground and the Bengals only gained 69 yards rushing. The Jets are also sixth in the NFL allowing only 3.7 yards per carry.
Even so, the Steelers know they have to run the football in order for the offense to live up to its potential.
"It definitely builds our morale -- a lot," Kevin Dotson told me. "Everybody can build on it. If we get 20-yard runs, the receivers know the pass is going to start opening up. Quarterbacks can feel more confident. It’s a must every time we play."
10 DATA POINTS
• The Jets have held a lead for only 22 seconds this season. That's the lowest in the NFL.
• Diontae Johnson has now played in 50 career games for the Steelers, and registered 275 catches for 2,960 yards and 20 touchdowns. His 275 receptions are the most by a player in franchise history and are the 10th-most in NFL history over their first 50 career games played.
• Johnson has also recorded five or more catches in 15 straight games, which is the longest active streak in the NFL. It's also the second-longest streak in franchise history.
• D.J. Reed will likely line up against Johnson, and he's done a phenomenal job in coverage this season. Quarterbacks have an 18.1 rating when throwing in his direction, and he's only allowed five receptions over the first three games.
• That being said, the Jets' secondary was lit up by the Bengals last week. They gave up 275 yards in the air while Joe Burrow threw for three touchdowns, no interceptions and had a 114.9 rating.
• Garrett Wilson, the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has been targeted at least eight times in each of the Jets' first three games. He'll likely be a favorite target of Zach Wilson's in his first start of the season.
• David Njoku was a thorn in defense's side last week as he was Jacoby Brissett's favorite target. Jets tight end Tyler Conklin hauled in all eight of his targets last week against the Bengals, racking up 84 yards through the air. He'll be an area of focus for the secondary Sunday.
• Of course, the Steelers' defense is trying to snap the streak of failing to win a game when Watt is inactive. Since Watt's career began, Pittsburgh is 0-6 when he is not in the lineup.
• The Jets' offensive line allowed four sacks and nine QB hits last week. If there's an opportunity for the pass rush to get it going without Watt, this is the game to do it.
• The Jets might have won the previous meeting between these two teams, but the Steelers hold a commanding 20-6 lead in the all-time series (playoffs included). What's more, the Steelers are 10-1 against the Jets at Acrisure Stadium.
THE FANTASY CORNER
Last week's lineup did not work out for me whatsoever. James Robinson and DeVonta Smith went off. Christian Kirk and Drake London had solid performances, but the rest of lineup just didn't get it done. Here's my lineup for Week 4 (with a $50,000 salary cap on DraftKings).
• QB: Jaylen Hurts, Eagles ($8,200)
• RB1: James Robinson, Jaguars ($6,400)
• RB2: Antonio Gibson, Commanders ($6,000)
• WR1: Christian Kirk, Jaguars ($6,600)
• WR2: Amari Cooper, Browns ($6,300)
• WR3: Diontae Johnson, Steelers ($6,000)
• TE: Tyler Conklin, Jets ($3,600)
• FLEX: Jahan Dotson, Commanders ($4,300)
• DEF/ST: Titans ($2,500)
I'm spending big money on Hurts. Looking to turn things around and he's been as productive as just about any quarterback in football. Robinson and Gibson have been consistent all season, as has Kirk. Cooper seems to be gelling more in the Browns' offense and Johnson's high volume of work should continue to make him a producer in fantasy football. Dotson is my sleeper this week. He was productive in the first two weeks, and the Commanders will look to bounce back after losing to the Eagles. They're playing the Cowboys, so they'll be extra motivated to not lose back-to-back NFC East games.
