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3 Steelers X-factors for week six game against the Chargers

By Brandon Kring

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 02: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rushes the ball against Adrian Phillips #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 02: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rushes the ball against Adrian Phillips #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on September 30, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on September 30, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

James Conner

The Pittsburgh Steelers of old were known for smash-mouth football. They would let their defense beat the opposing offenses up then ram the ball down their throats with a power run game.

In today’s NFL, very few teams employ that strategy with the league geared more toward passing offenses than ever before. The Steelers have the offensive line to be able to be on of those few teams that still runs the ball, but yet they have struggled in 2019.

James Conner has also struggled after gaining just 194 yards on 58 carries for only 3.3 yards per attempt. That is a far cry from his 342 yards on 84 carries and 4.1 yards per carry through the first five games of 2018.

The Chargers defense is not a top-level run defense so far this season ranking 18th in rush defense (119.8 yards per game) and 19th in yards per carry allowed (4.6), The Steelers need their offensive line to take advantage of this and pave the way for James Conner to have a breakout game running the ball.

With Devlin Hodges, barring a rapid recovery from Mason Rudolph, likely to start this game, the Steelers will need to help him as much as they can, and that begins with a big run game.

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