The run game was supposed to be the driving force of the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense this season, with a young and talented offensive line leading the way for a capable group of running backs. Jaylen Warren would finally get the chance to be the lead back, while rookie Kaleb Johnson and free-agent pickup Kenneth Gainwell backed him up.
Instead, the run game was nonexistent through the first three weeks of the season. Warren looked just as good as ever from an individual standpoint, but the blocking was just too poor to overcome. The team collectively averaged 2.8 yards per attempt, second-worst in the NFL.
It didn't help that Johnson was nowhere to be found, and Gainwell offered next to nothing on the ground. Their Week 4 matchup with the Vikings looked to be even worse, as Warren was ruled out before the game with a knee injury. Despite missing their top runner, however, the Steelers shocked everyone with a big day on the ground in a close 24-21 victory across the pond.
Pittsburgh Steelers' ground game explodes without Jaylen Warren in the lineup
Steelers fans were hoping that Johnson would be the one who took advantage of Warren's absence, but it was the veteran Gainwell who powered a 131-yard day on the ground for Pittsburgh. He ended up just shy of 100 yards with 99, and he added two touchdowns as well. It was a career day for the former Philadelphia Eagle, with his previous high for rushing yards being 78.
Gainwell looked great, but the offensive line was the real star of the show. After three weeks of nothing but poor play from that group, they finally gave the running backs room to operate against a good Vikings front seven.
That isn't to take away from what Gainwell (and even a few nice carries from Johnson) did, but offensive line play is always going to be the most important aspect of consistently running the football. Had Warren been healthy this week, the run game could have been even more productive.
Now heading into their bye week, they need to find a way to replicate this success when they face the vaunted Cleveland Browns run defense in their next game. If they can continue to move the ball on the ground in that game, fans should feel confident that things are finally looking up for the offense.