The Steelers have struggled to find their identity so far this season. Sunday’s win over the Saints could be the blueprint they have been searching for.
The Steelers came off their bye week in desperate need of a win, and they got it in their 20-10 win over the New Orleans Saints. The offense still struggled to hit that 20-point mark and the defense had a few iffy drives, but overall it was a good step forward for both units.
What is more important than the win itself, however, is the way that the Steelers won. Here is why their win this week is the blueprint for a successful last eight weeks of the season.
The Steelers running game finally comes to life
The Steelers came into week 10 27th in rushing yards, yards per attempt, and rushing touchdowns. That is a big part of why starting QB Kenny Pickett has struggled during his rookie season. With no consistent running game to lean on, he has felt pressure to make plays that are nearly impossible to make with this offensive system.
That changed against the Saints, as the Steelers exploded for 217 yards on a whopping 43 attempts. Both of their touchdowns came on the ground as well, with a George Pickens inside hand-off and a Kenny Pickett sneak.
It isn’t just that the Steelers ran the ball well either. It’s how many times they ran the ball and who all carried it. Najee Harris lead the way with 20 carries for 99 yards, his best output since last season. Jaylen Warren racked up nine attempts for 37 yards to go along with 40 receiving yards as well. Kenny Pickett used his legs often as well, rushing eight times for 51 yards and the aforementioned score.
George Pickens and Steven Sims also received four combined carries, with Pickens contributing 23 of their combined 25 yards and a TD. Even Derek Watt had two key short-yardage attempts that he converted for first downs. That lead to just 39 minutes of possession for the Steelers, keeping the defense fresh and off the field.
The Steelers need to lean on their defense, run game
If you haven’t caught on already, the Steelers offensive identity needs to be their diverse and creative run game. Now that TJ Watt is back healthy, the defense should be primed for a resurgence down the stretch. If that is the case, playing ball-control offense and leaning on Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren is the Steelers best chance to turn the season around. Winning games may end up hurting their future more than helping their present, but this team isn’t one to go quietly into the night.
Pittsburgh’s schedule is far from easy down the stretch, but they could end up with an additional three or four wins if they can replicate their performance against the Saints. That wouldn’t be enough to keep their streak of non-losing seasons intact, but it would put them a tier above the worst teams in the league. Probably not worth it considering how much help this roster still needs, but the players don’t care about that. One thing is for sure: this team isn’t ready to give up just yet.