The Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints made history on Sunday, facing off in the first NFL game ever played in France. Pittsburgh came away with a 16-10 victory in a low-scoring battle, improving to 5-2 on the season and earning its third straight win.
The victory also keeps the Steelers tied with the Cleveland Browns for first place in the AFC North, setting up a huge divisional matchup this Sunday. While the offense had its struggles, several players stepped up to help Pittsburgh secure the win. Here are three Steelers standouts who made a difference in Week 7.
Pittsburgh Steelers backfield duo headlines their standouts from Week 7
Jaylen Warren continues to prove he’s one of the NFL’s best running backs
Jaylen Warren continues to be the engine of the Steelers’ offense, especially with injuries leaving the team short on playmakers. Time and time again, Warren kept the ground game moving and gave Pittsburgh a reliable option in the short passing game. With Aaron Rodgers largely relying on quick, underneath throws to pick apart the Saints’ defense, Warren played a key role in keeping the offense on schedule.
He finished with 18 carries for 101 rushing yards while adding three catches for 36 yards, making him one of Pittsburgh’s most productive weapons
Rico Dowdle proves he can be the perfect complement to Jaylen Warren in the Steelers' backfield
After missing three weeks with a toe injury, Rico Dowdle returned to the lineup against the Buccaneers, but Sunday's win over the Saints gave Steelers fans a better look at what he can bring to the offense, especially in the passing game. As a change-of-pace back behind Jaylen Warren, Dowdle showed that both running backs can be productive in their respective roles.
He finished with nine carries for 41 yards and added six catches for 45 yards through the air. Getting Dowdle more involved will be important for keeping Warren healthy throughout the season, but it also gives Pittsburgh another reliable option who can contribute as both a runner and receiver. Having two backs capable of producing in similar ways allows the Steelers to maintain their offensive rhythm regardless of who's in the backfield.
The Steelers' run defense continues to dominate and shut down opposing ground games
In recent years, the Steelers’ run defense has been a major weakness, and with Derrick Harmon on injured reserve, many expected those struggles to continue. Instead, Pittsburgh has been dominant against the run over the past three weeks. Jonathan Taylor was held to just 45 rushing yards, while Bucky Irving, coming off a monster performance against the Cowboys, managed only 46 yards against the Steelers.
Then, on Sunday, Pittsburgh completely shut down the Saints’ ground game, allowing just 18 rushing yards as a team. The Steelers’ recent success against the run has been one of the biggest reasons for their defensive success.
Add us as a preferred source on Google