Steelers Head Into Bye Week In An Unexpected Spot
Who would’ve thought? The way things have been going, you’d think the Steelers are 0-5 to this point. Nope, instead they head into the bye week in first place in the AFC North. Insane considering how the offense has looked. But as usual, a familiar friend had their back.
Steelers Offense is Still Sluggish
While they did play another great defense that just got All-Pro Marlon Humphrey back, the Steelers offense still started sluggish and never showed much of a pulse aside from the 41-yard pass that George Pickens took to the endzone to win it. Pickens had himself a day, quietly gathering six of his ten targets for 130 yards and a touchdown. Keep feeding Pickens.
Jaylen Warren had a good day with some angry runs taking his nine rush attempts for 40 yards and catching all three of his targets for 39 yards. Najee Harris couldn’t get much going on his 12 attempts for 37 yards and one reception for three yards. Other guys like Allen Robinson and Connor Heyward chipped in too with Robinson snagging five catches for 29 yards and Heyward getting three receptions for 23 yards. Although they won, the offense still didn’t look very smooth, inciting ‘Fire Canada’ chants to break out at Acrisure Stadium throughout the afternoon. The fans have made it clear, they’ve seen enough.
Kenny Pickett had another just okay day going 18/32 for 224 yards and a passing touchdown. There was nothing great from Pickett but got out of there with a division win. The CBS broadcast mentioned multiple times how the Ravens weren’t giving him much. Hopefully, the bye week can get him in the zone down the stretch. Getting Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth back will hopefully do wonders for the offense.
Defense And Special Teams Showed Out
Like they did in the other divisional game the Steelers played against Cleveland, the defense showed out on Sunday. TJ Watt had two sacks including one to seal the game, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery thanks to the punch out by Alex Highsmith who had a sack of his own. Those two are special. They have the ability to take over games when the Steelers need it, and they haven’t even had Cam Heyward to help them out. Kwon Alexander registered his best game as a Steeler so far, having six solo tackles with three tackles for loss and a sack.
Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts both had a decent day too, Holcomb having eight solo tackles and one tackle for loss and Roberts putting up five solo tackles. Larry Ogunjobi forced a fumble that Damontae Kazee scooped up, but Ogunjobi left with an injury later in the game.
The Steelers Special Teams Captain Miles Killebrew made his presence felt on Sunday when he blocked a punt that got the Steelers a safety, effectively shifting the momentum of the game at the time until Gunner Olszewski fumbled on the kick return directly after, giving the Ravens great field position to end the game. But then in the most AFC North fashion possible, Joey Porter Jr picks off Lamar Jackson for his first career interception which led to the 41-yard Geroge Pickens touchdown to win the game. What a rollercoaster it was. The Steelers defense just can’t help themselves in divisional matchups. They really get up for those games.
A Week To Hit Reset
Now the Steelers get to head into the bye week with a record of 3-2, sitting in first place in the AFC North. Whatever Mike Tomlin did to those guys last year on the bye week, do it again. The Steelers are in a position to be in the mix at the end of the season if the offense can use this week to figure it out, however they can. Mike Tomlin said changes were coming, let's see it.
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