There are few things more rewarding than rewatching an impressive win. Just ask the Pittsburgh Steelers following a 30-27 win against the Cincinnati Bengals. The victory seems sweeter knowing Mike McCarthy’s team defeated a divisional opponent. But the most refreshing realization is knowing how efficiently his offense ran the football.
With Rico Dowdle nursing a toe injury, Jaylen Warren carried the offensive workload. And his impact was more than appreciated. Instead of sharing reps, Pittsburgh relied on their determined veteran. And he did not disappoint.
“[It was] huge; he was the focal point,” McCarthy confessed when asked about Warren’s performance.
This was apparent after watching the tape. The undrafted free agent became a catalyst for the offense, starting with the first play of the game. He turned a check-down pass from Aaron Rodgers into a 30-yard gain. It helped keep the chains moving on the Steelers’ opening touchdown drive.
The contributions didn’t stop there. Warren became a frequent contributor for the offense. He extended plays while keeping drives alive. When the final whistle blew, Pittsburgh’s tailback earned 127 rushing yards on 17 carries. He also contributed 49 receiving yards on three receptions.
It was a stellar performance from an X-Factor that fans have seen break out before. But was it enough for McCarthy to cease splitting reps between Warren and Dowdle as the season progresses?
Boy, I hope so.
Jaylen Warren must become the Pittsburgh Steelers' true RB1 for the remainder of the season
I understand Pittsburgh’s backfield looks efficient on paper. Rico Dowdle provides a decisive, no-nonsense rushing style. Warren is a more elusive athlete. The duo gives the Steelers' offense versatility, but does it yield production?
In Week 1, Dowdle earned 58% of the offensive snaps while Warren participated in 36%. The duo only amassed 58 total yards rushing. Through two games, Dowdle had produced just 37 yards on 15 carries. Something obviously needed to change. McCarthy increased Warren’s reps (52) in Week 2 against New England. The adjustment helped Pittsburgh gain 91 yards on 23 attempts.
Dowdle’s unavailability in Week 3 left the door open for Warren to lead the charge. He created explosive runs and became a reliable safety blanket for Rodgers when facing pressure. Travis Homer (1) and Lee Nichols (1) also received carries throughout the game. But it was clear that McCarthy’s goal was to feed his determined veteran.
And Pittsburgh should structure its backfield that way moving forward.
“As we started the season with Rico and Jaylen, it was a one-two punch. [We] didn’t really care who was in the game.” McCarthy admitted after the game. “With Homer and Lee, we were being more selective.”
Well, a bona fide combination is only lethal when both parties can do damage. Before Week 3, Pittsburgh ranked 29th in rushing offense. The duo was nice to talk about but didn’t produce lasting results. Yes, Dowdle is an established rusher coming off of two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. But maybe it’s time for the Steelers to change their approach concerning his workload.
It’s nice to know Pittsburgh desires to keep feeding Warren. But how long will they attempt to incorporate a two-back system? Sunday’s performance against Cincinnati proved that Jaylen Warren can handle primary responsibilities while helping the offense score points.
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