This stat proves the Steelers offensive line is improving

The Pittsburgh Steelers have benefitted from an improving offensive line during their three-game win streak.

After the Pittsburgh Steelers started the season 1-3, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the offensive line were subject to a lot of scrutinies, as many blamed them for the offense’s ineffectiveness that led to the team’s slow start. The criticism was merited, as Roethlisberger and the offensive line were demonstrating many of the same struggles they had last season.

If the Steelers were to win any games, the play of Roethlisberger and the line had to improve. That is exactly what happened, as the Steelers are on a three-game win streak, largely in part to the big guys up front.

Steelers offensive line improving during win streak

In Sunday’s victory against the Cleveland Browns, the offensive line had their hands full with Cleveland’s defensive front. While Myles Garrett did make plenty of splash plays, Pittsburgh’s offensive line took another step in the right direction.

With players like Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney to block, the Steelers’ offensive front was able to improve on their league-worst average time to throw. For the season, the average is 2.37 per Next Gen Stats, which is still the worst in the NFL, but Sunday’s win showed that they are turning a corner.

This continues a trend of improvement from last season when Pittsburgh also had the lowest average time to throw at 2.3 seconds. Something else they struggled with during 2020 was running the ball, rushing for a league-worst 3.6 yards a carry and a league-low 1,351 yards.

Steelers run-blocking is improving

Starting the 2021 season, it seemed as if they were heading towards the same fate rushing for 75, 39, 45, and 62 yards in the first four outings. Since that point, the offensive line has been able to open lanes for first-round pick Najee Harris, as the team has rushed for 147, 119, and 115 yards in their last three games.

The level of production they are playing with can be seen in the way they parted the Browns defense for Harris’ eight-yard touchdown run on Sunday.

Going from the worst rushing offense to three consecutive 100-yard games is tremendous growth for the Steelers offensive line, and it has greatly benefited the team as Pittsburgh has won all three games.

If the Steelers are to make anything of their season, this growth must continue. Sitting at one game above 500 and third in the AFC North, the year will only get tougher moving forward. The offensive line must continue to make strides for Pittsburgh to maintain any chances of winning games.