Halicke: Wilson-Austin connection came on perfectly-timed play call

The Steelers' offense didn't do everything they wanted in Monday night's 26-18 win over the Giants at Acrisure Stadium. Sure, they put up a season-high 426 yards, but there were plenty of points left on the field. But, even in a performance that had its missed opportunities, the one touchdown scored by the offense was the deciding score.

"I've been waiting to dial that one up," Arthur Smith told me after the game, smiling ear to ear.

The play came early in the fourth quarter. The Steelers were riding the high of a 73-yard punt return touchdown by Calvin Austin III, which broke a 9-9 tie. The Giants had just gone three-and-out, and the offense was marching down the field with an opportunity to make it a two-score game. Facing third-and-8, this is what Smith had been waiting to call:

That's a huge play in a critical moment, and with a heck of a throw by Russell Wilson. But why was this the time to call it? How did everything work out where Austin broke free? I spoke with several people in the locker room after the game to help break this play down as best as possible.

First, here's the play drawn up (no access to All-22 yet):

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Looking at the Giants' defense, they are in Cover 1 (one safety deep). They've got man coverage across the board with a blitz dialed up. Wilson sees the blitz coming before the snap. Go back and watch the video again. Notice how he uses the hard count then calls Pat Freiermuth over to line up in the traditional tight end spot. I had multiple people tell me this was a built in protection for the play.

Also, notice how multiple players shout what sounds like, "River!" Any word like that said at the line that begins with 'R' means the protection needs to be slid to the right. Bringing Freiermuth over allows him and Jaylen Warren to pick up the pressure from the left side while the offensive line slides over to deal with the pressure coming from the other side.

Smith was expecting pressure and man coverage on this play. According to FantasyPoints.com, the Giants came into the game with the fifth-highest usage of Cover 1 on third down in the NFL. Cover 1 almost always comes with man coverage and potential pressure. After all, this was a Giants team that came into the game with the league lead in sacks.

With the protection now set, it's time to break down the routes and how Austin sprung wide open. The other angle of the television broadcast helps with this:

Before we mention anything about Austin's route, I first want you to pay attention to the deep safety, Tyler Nubin (No. 31). Nubin is definitely shaded over to the opposite side of the formation. And, that's for good reason. George Pickens is over there. We've seen teams do this going all the way back to last season. Even in coverages such as Cover 1, safeties have played over the top of Pickens. They aren't going to let him beat them. So, they'll use that one deep safety to help double Pickens and make someone else beat them.

Smith and Mike Tomlin are more than aware of this.

"We talk quite a bit, man. We got a lot of confidence in our collective. They want to prove that they're capable," Tomlin said. "Oftentimes George gets a lot of attention. That creates opportunities for others. It's their job to deliver."

With the safety shading over to double Pickens, that put it on either Austin or Van Jefferson to win their routes, especially since Freiermuth was called over for max protection.

"Coach T was saying all week, 'When they're in man-to-man, wideouts gotta kill,'" Austin said after the game. "That's what happened."

Sure is. Watch the route again. And again. It's worth your time.

Austin's route is absolutely perfect. This is attacking leverage at its finest. Dru Phillips (No. 22) has outside leverage on Austin, and Austin is running a corner route. The way to beat leverage here is to use the cornerback's hips against him. Austin sells this ever so subtly inside to get Phillips to commit to having his hips turned inside and start running in that direction. Austin literally uses his very next step to break the route to the outside and blows past Phillips. I'll say it again: This is a gorgeous route.

Also, Jefferson's route off the ball seems lazy on the surface, but it's not. Him pausing and then making his first move to the outside before running the dig route clears a path for Austin to get off the ball with nothing slowing him down. That, my friends, is a perfect example of what it means when Smith or anyone else stresses details.

Rest assured, these guys aren't satisfied with the offense's performance. They moved the ball seemingly at will. But, they shot themselves in the foot several times and left several points on the field. 

But, the one play that got the offense in the end zone was the reward for a ton of work put in by the coaching staff and players. They knew the opponent's tendency. They called a play to beat it. They made sure the quarterback was protected. The receivers ran great routes. And, last but not least, Wilson threw a beautiful ball.

At the bye week, the offense still has a way to go until it can be considered as some sort of formidable unit. But, the team is 6-2 and the offense continues to move in the right direction. And, watching these scenarios play out like this is a breath of fresh air.