When you give the ball to Jaylen Warren, good things tend to happen.
The former undrafted product of Oklahoma State had one of the best games of his career on Sunday against the Bengals, compiling a career-high 176 yards from scrimmage (127 rushing, 49 receiving) and was the engine that drove the Steelers’ offense out of the abyss and into relevancy.
In Weeks 1 and 2, the Steelers’ ranked 27th in EPA per rush. As we head into the final game of Week 3, they sit comfortably in seventh place out of the 30
that have played thus far. Their yards per rush also skyrocketed from 27th in the league in the first two weeks (3.39) to second (6.0).
Warren did this as the sole running back. Rico Dowdle was out with a toe injury he sustained in Week 2, which left Warren to carry the ball 17 times, which is a new career high. And in his first game as a true bell cow back, Warren showed he is more than capable of being the straw that stirs the drink in the Steelers’ backfield. While the Steelers will certainly feature Dowdle when he is healthy – and they should – it should not be a 50-50 split. Warren showed it when he shared a backfield with Najee Harris and he’s showing it now – he is the Steelers most dynamic playmaker when he gets the ball in his hands. Feeding No. 30 should be a priority for Pittsburgh, especially this coming Thursday against a Browns team that ranks 26th in defensive EPA per rush.
It’s the morning after game day, and the Steelers have life.
Steelers offensive line dominates
The offensive line play from Week 2 to Week 3 was night and day. After being the fourth-most pressured quarterback in the NFL across the first two weeks, per Sumer Sports, Aaron Rodgers was the ninth-lowest pressured quarterback of 30 qualified QBs thus far.
Despite facing a Bengals defense that is fourth in the NFL in sacks, the Steelers’ offensive line kept Rodgers clean throughout most of the afternoon. Troy Fautanu allowed just two pressures after a shaky performance against the New England Patriots. Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick cleaned up after a sloppy performance, as well, but it was the new right side that was the ultimate game-changer for Pittsburgh. Right guard Brock Hoffman allowed zero pressures on 59 snaps. Rookie Max Iheanachor allowed just two pressures and was not credited with giving up a sack.
The extra time allowed Rodgers to push the ball downfield. Two of his three touchdown passes were on deep balls (20+ yards downfield), and he averaged 8.34 yards per attempt when he had a clean pocket to throw from, which was good for ninth in the league. If the Steelers want to get into the playoffs and actually make a run, this is the type of play they will need – keep Rodgers clean, let him push the ball downfield, and balance it out with a dynamic ground game. They just showed they are capable of doing exactly that.
Steelers miss Joey Porter Jr
This was the first time this season where it was evident the Steelers were missing Joey Porter Jr. The Steelers showed zone on 48 snaps. Joe Burrow went 24-of-31 against zone coverage for 226 yards and. touchdown. Pittsburgh played man on just five snaps, which is where the services of Porter were really missed. Had he been active, the Steelers almost certainly would have felt more comfortable deploying more man coverages with No. 24 lined up on either Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins. Instead, Burrow went a perfect 4-for-4 against man coverage with a touchdown. When you sit in zone all game against a great quarterback, he’ll happily nickel and dime you to death down the field, which is what Burrow and the Bengals largely did. Of their five scoring drives, four featured at least eight plays, and two totaled at least 11 plays in length. The Bengals weren’t incredible explosive, but they didn’t have to be. Burrow was getting rid of the ball in just over 2.5 seconds, which rendered the Steelers’ pass rush completely null and void until the game’s final drive. The Steelers got the win, but it could have been a bit more decisive had Porter been on the field.
Quick hitters
- Robert Spears-Jennings has been a special teams stud. He registered his eighth special teams tackle on Sunday, per Ross McCorkle. That puts him on pace for 45 on the year – an insane number.
- I’m kind of over the Roman Wilson experience. It’s constantly one step forward, one step back. He sprung open on the pick play on the first drive for a touchdown, and then let a ball bounce off his hands for an interception later on. Germie Bernard then came in and made a difficult sliding grab for a 14-yard gain and a first down. More of 17, less of 14 going forward.
- This was the most Ben Skowronek game of all time. One catch for a touchdown and a fumble recovery on a muffed punt that led to a crucial field goal. The ultimate blue collar player.
- DK Metcalf’s struggles will get overshadowed due to him reaching the end zone and the Steelers winning, but three catches for 31 yards marks another slow day. He also had a pair of penalties, one of which negated an 87-yard run.
- Can’t go without talking about the incredible play by Derrick Harmon (although I’m unsure why they call him DJ). The Bengals were in Steelers territory, Harmon busts through the center of the offensive line and calls game. The future is bright for him and the Steelers’ defensive interior as a whole.
- Darnell Washington needs to get no less than five targets per game. 90 percent of the time, he catches a five yard pass and turns it into a big gain because no one can tackle him. Why getting him the ball isn’t a higher priority is beyond me.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
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