3 reasons Steelers must get run game going against Bengals

Steelers RBs get better with carries

This point does bleed into the last one, but it still holds up. The Steelers are likely facing their last potentially easy victory against a decimated Bengals team, and as stated before, this team should go up early. This is the type of game that the Steelers runners should thrive on, and it will be their best chance to re-establish themselves as legitimate runners.

The team’s top backs are power runners and ones that rely more on running over defenders than beating them with pure speed. This is a benefit late in games, as they don’t respond as poorly to fatigue over a game. While the defense will be gassed going into the fourth quarter, both Conner and Snell can still rely on their power to keep the ball moving.

That said, if the game is close, the Steelers will naturally be passing the ball well into the fourth quarter. If the team is winning well into the fourth quarter, they can rely on both of their running backs to keep up a brutal downhill rushing assault against the Bengals. Assuming the Steelers establish the run early and take a lead, then the fourth quarter could be a strong showing from the runners.

Ideally, the Steelers runners should combine for over 20 carries going into the fourth quarter. Assuming a lead is established, the team shouldn’t let up. Give it to their runners another 15 times and show the NFL that this team can run. Get Derek Watt involved, let him be a lead blocker for these runners. No matter what, even if the going is tough early on, the Steelers can’t give up on the run and then only attempt 15 or so rushes all game like they have been doing in recent weeks.