3 things we learned from Steelers win against the Denver Broncos

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The Steelers held off a furious comeback attempt by the Denver Broncos to secure victory.

So let me just say this right out of the gate. I think the Steelers were fortunate to have won this game.  I am not a ‘glass half empty’ type of person as I do try to look at the positive in any situation, particularly when it comes to my Steelers.

We allowed the Broncos to score thirteen points in the fourth quarter and could have easily lost the game had it not been for a game-saving INT by an unlikely source.  We will get into that later in the discussion.  Look, I am ecstatic that we won, but I would have liked to have had made it a little less stressful.

I’m getting older and stress is not a good thing.  This game could have been a ‘leisurely stroll’ down easy street, but, alas, it was not.  So what do we learn from our first home win of the 2021 season?  Let’s take a look.

The Steelers found the ‘long lost’ running game against the Broncos

Through the first four games of the 2021 season, the Steelers averaged about fifty-five yards on the ground, which was good enough or bad enough, more appropriately, for last place in the NFL.  Against the Broncos, according to ESPN, we gained one-hundred and forty-seven yards on the ground.

I can’t emphasize enough how important that was for us to not only aid in the winning effort but to hopefully inspire confidence amongst the offensive linemen.  I think this performance against a good Broncos defense may be the catalyst for Najee Harris to keep the train moving.

Harris finished the day with one-hundred and twenty-two yards on twenty-three carries and had a TD to boot. That’s what the Steelers need from Harris and from the offensive line.  The trick will be this:  Will we be able to build upon that performance or will it be just a ‘flash in the pan’?

Let’s see what else we learned.