Folks, the Steelers now have a running game.
I know, I know ... I'm sure there are doubters.
But how about this for evidence: Over their past four games, they're averaging 158.8 yards per game on the ground. Those came against the Colts, Bengals, Saints and Eagles. Entering the Monday night game, Indianapolis was allowing just 3.7 yards per carry. The Steelers gouged the Colts to the tune of 4.8.
In terms of yards per carry allowed, the Colts now rank fifth, the Bengals are 11th, the Saints 18th, the Eagles 23rd. In terms of total rushing yards allowed per game, the Bengals rank 13th, the Colts 17th, the Eagles 18th, the Saints 23rd. Also, these four opposing defensive lines by no means are built for speed or finesse. All four are built for power and physicality, having great size of their own. They're hardly elite at defending the run, but they certainly aren't pushovers.
Is this turnaround because of the Steelers' ball-carriers?
Sure, they deserve some responsibility and credit.
Najee Harris looks far better on tape post-bye week than he did to start the season in terms of burst, decisiveness, and being quicker to get downhill. Jaylen Warren, although he was hurt and inactive against the Colts, is quickly proving to be a quality ball-carrier and excellent change of pace to Harris. And kudos to the Monday performances from Anthony McFarland, who is finally understanding what it means to be a professional runner, and from Benny Snell, who ran with conviction and vigor in stepping up in a big way when called upon after Harris' injury.
This isn’t to discredit these four or to insinuate that the Steelers should look to upgrade at running back, but imagine Jonathan Taylor or Nick Chubb as the ball-carrier instead of Harris, Warren, McFarland or Snell.
We also can’t forget Kenny Pickett and his contributions on the ground. The majority of the NFL's most productive rushing teams nowadays get a lot from their quarterback, and Pickett is doing his share. He averages 5.6 yards per carry and already has racked up 195 rushing yards in his brief career. If he continues to chip in with around 15 to 30 yards per game as a runner, that will go a long way to keeping the offense humming, moving the chains, and controlling the tempo with voluminous running.
Voluminous running?
If you recall, there was an article written recently on that exact subject. And it applies now as much as it did then.
Just ask the Steelers' upcoming opponent. The Falcons very well could be the NFL’s least-talented team, but they still are currently just a half-game back from the NFC South lead because they run the football with rare volume. This isn’t to discredit those that are carrying the football. As noted, they have done well. But the dedication to voluminous running and those doing the blocking truly deserve the credit for this massive transformation from early in the season.
Everyone with eyes knew the Steelers' offensive line was going to be a work-in-progress this year. They aren’t players with super high pedigrees. They are collectively very young and had not played together. Offensive line play is very much about continuity and playing with one another. Communication and continuity are key up front.
Let’s highlight one aspect of that with the Steelers' front five, and that's double-team blocking: A typical double-team consists of two linemen crashing down on a big interior defensive lineman, and one of the two then moving to the second level to hit a linebacker.
Easy enough, right?
It really isn’t. Any offensive lineman will tell you this takes a lot of time to develop. First off, the defenders know it's coming and are great at impeding such progress to the linebacker. Second, it's a precise situation as to when to release up to the second player while not leaving your teammate in a bind.
To start the season, the Steelers were rather terrible with their double-teams. One would leave too early or they both would stay too long, and the opposing linebacker would knife in to make an uncontested play in the backfield.
Well, the Steelers' big men are now quite good in his nuance of the position. And it's paying off.
This is Harris’ touchdown run:
But really pay attention to Kevin Dotson, who just totally caves down a very good Indianapolis defensive interior in what starts out as a double-team with Mason Cole. They do such a good job that Dan Moore really doesn’t even have anyone that he needs to block, but still gets a piece of a linebacker, as Harris does the rest.
Then, with all respect to Snell getting downhill quick and without any hesitation, this one was all about the blocking:
That applies a great deal to Moore, who had many dominant run blocking moments Monday. Just look at all the blue jerseys on the wrong side of the right hash mark as Harris crosses the line of scrimmage, cutting back right off Moore’s backside. That's how you draw it up on the whiteboard.
Coaching, repetitions, and practice time certainly has something to do with it. But the Steelers have also been extremely fortunate with their offensive linemen and their playing time. Not one of the starters has been so inadequate that they needed benched. The starting five has been the starting five, and rightfully so. But, a lack of injuries -- knock on wood -- also have let this wonderful process develop.
This is rare for an NFL team as we head into December, but all four of Chuks Okorafor, James Daniels, Dotson and Moore have yet to miss a snap in the 2022 season, each having played 761 snaps. Cole has battled some issues and has mostly played through them, but he has still played 715 snaps.
That's a great foundation for what was once perceived as the greatest position of concern.
Now, that five-some isn’t perfect, and the Steelers would be wise to pursue a left tackle and/or center this offseason. Just imagine Moore, an excellent run blocker, but questionable pass protector by NFL left tackle standards, at guard. Or as the Steelers' valuable third offensive tackle where he could often be brought into the game as a pseudo-tight end for a true power lineup. Or imagine Cole as the top backup at all three interior spots. Such a situation would conceivably give the Steelers noticeably more talent up front, as well as excellent depth.
That it is very attainable this offseason.
Back to 2022, though. Chase Claypool is gone, and as noted, the Steelers are experimenting with their fifth skill position player between Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth and a running back making up four-fifths of that eligible receiver battery.
Those getting a spike in playing time post-Claypool are tight ends Zach Gentry and Connor Heyward as the Steelers are using more 12 Personnel (1 RB/2 TE) rather than an extremely heavy dose of 11 (1 RB/1 TE) as they have over the past few years.
Derek Watt is getting a few more snaps, as well, but mostly as a pure blocker. Auditions are ongoing for the ever-important third wide receiver role amongst Steven Sims, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin -- who is currently sidelined -- and Cody White, who very much played the big-blocking wide receiver role this past week.
Sims isn’t a blocker, but he is dynamic with the ball in his hands. Boykin and White are superb blockers, as well as major special teams assets. Olszewski doesn’t have size like Boykin, but he throws his body around like few receivers in the league. Gentry is a pure blocking tight end, and Heyward, a supremely different tight end than Gentry, is a different look and is developing as a blocker in his own right.
It hasn’t happened overnight, and it has been a group project, but the Steelers actually now have a running game. And it's paying off in a big way.
