It has been made more than clear, by this point, that the next step for the Steelers offense under Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan is to score more points.
But, with one successful week in terms of output in the rearview, Faulkner is more than confident that that sort of thing can be achieved within time. It is becoming a tangible expectation because of the signs and output showcased against the Bengals on Sunday. The 421 yards of offense was made possible because of that synergy working as efficiently as it did in such a short amount of time.
"It was fantastic. It couldn't have been better," Faulkner said Thursday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "If I was over there telling Sully, 'hey, let's do this,' he was right on board with it. It wasn't like any sort of pushback. It was awesome. Sully called a great game. Sully was awesome in that game. I'm just really excited about the trajectory and what's going on."
That is an underrated and perhaps undervalued aspect to running an offense. Having two brain trusts instead of one coordinating and then conveying the offense to the players in moment is something that could have taken more time to gel.
So far, so good from that standpoint, though.
"I've heard the guys -- I've heard some of the comments saying the plays are coming in quicker," Faulkner would add. "I don't know. I feel like he just called a good game, know what I mean? So I give him credit for that in that game, for sure."
Mike Tomlin has used the word "fluidity" when it comes to this offense. That fluidity is only made possible by a reaffirmation to the very identity it is built upon. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are at a near even split in terms of yards this season, and Harris has surged to being one of the best running back through contact in the NFL through 12 weeks.
According to data from Pro Football Reference, Harris is tied for first in the NFL in runs of 15 or more yards (11), runs of 20 or more yards (seven), and yards per contact after carry (2.2); and he is second in the NFL in carries per broken tackle (7.5) and fourth in yards after contact (312) and broken tackles (19).
Harris has carried the ball 143 times for 598 yards and four touchdowns, while Warren has added 93 carries for 942 yards and three TDs.
"Both those guys have skillsets to help us win," Faulkner said. "I think we all see that in watching the game. I don't see any head-to-head or them -- I don't see them contradicting each other. I see them complementing each other. I think they look at it the same way, and we need that to win. ... Sometimes I think it happens just organically. The way Jaylen got here and the way that it fits, we were fortunate it could play out the way it did."
And, moreover, here is how impressive the Steelers’ ground game has been as of late:
NFL NEXT GEN STATS
Coincidentally, the burst beginning in Week 9 directly correlates with Broderick Jones taking over for Chukwuma Okorafor at right tackle.
Discuss the correlation how you might, though it's hard to ignore, but this offense has also become one getting used to many looks. Meaning, there is a healthy blend of zone and gap scheme on the ground mixed with personnel usage.
"I think whenever you get multiple personnels rolling around, teams have to get their personnel in and out and they have to practice it, I think that makes you more dangerous," Faulkner said. "Man, if we're going to talk run game, I've got to send a shout out to (offensive line coach) Pat Meyer, man. Pat Meyer is the real deal, and not only technically, but schematically. He's awesome. He's awesome. A lot of what you see in that regard is the coaching job that he's doing with the O-line."
The 153 yards rushed for Sunday at Cincinnati were the lowest over the last four games. But, Kenny Pickett was able to break through for his 278 passing yards and 72.7% completion rate, which were his highest marks since the 327 yards he threw on a 74.8% completion rate in his first career start against the Bills on October 9 of last year.
However, yards and points are different things. Tomlin said it when Matt Canada was fired, Pickett said it Wednesday, and Faulkner reaffirmed it Thursday.
They want more points.
"We just keep hammering away," Faulkner said. "I think I said last week about the details and ironing those out. I think it will come with that. I think the guys are all in on understanding. I know the points weren't what we wanted, but the success we had last week really gave me a good stage to be able to coach, like sink the hook in and get the guys to buy in and be like, OK, let's go. It just made this week easier in preparation. From that standpoint, I wouldn't expect anything for us to continue to be on a steep trajectory moving forward."
