By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
PITTSBURGH, PA–A week ago, after the Pittsburgh Steelers lost 20-3 to the New England Patriots, many media outlets and fans collectively asked, “Where in the World is the Steelers offense?”
A week later, the Steelers answered as the offense heavily contributed in their 30-27 win vs. the AFC North Rival Cincinnati Bengals, who came into Acrisure Stadium with a 2-0 record. The win improved the Steelers record to 2-1.
“Difference today in the offense, obviously production,” said Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy. “I think any time — we’ve had two games. Self-scout is the most important focal point I know from my perspective even in game planning. Third down was an emphasis, so I think any time you put more time and energy and the execution improves, it’s good for the players and coaches,”
The Steelers offense had a total of 411 yards, which included 138 from the running game. Starting RB Jaylen Warren contributed 127 of those yards despite being questionable with an injury and the absence of fellow RB Rico Dowdle (injury).
“Huge. He was the focal point. You guys are at practice, and you can see how he was limited in certain things. He came up big. He was huge today for us,” McCarthy said of his starting running back.
QB Aaron Rodgers was truly the star of the game as he threw 3 TDs and passed for 292 yards. WRs Roman Wilson (3 rec, 60 yards,), DK Metcalf (3 rec, 31 yards) and Ben Skowronek (1 rec, 23 yards) were the recipient of those TD passes and Big TE Darnell Washington had a huge 47-yard reception that helped set up a game-winning FG by K Chris Boswell, who also added 2 more field goals.
“I’ll say this, the O-Line — I watch the point of attack. I talk about it when I have the opportunity to speak to the offense about apexing the front, the point of attack, the platform of the quarterback and I felt for the most part we had that intact today,” said McCarthy. “Because especially with Aaron [Rodgers], the history that we have, if the pocket is clean, the platform is clean, and the escape lanes are clean, I can’t watch both of them. So, the communication of what’s going on in the back end, really comes from above. To answer your question, that’s a long answer, but I think they did a good job.”
The Steelers key to their improvements on offense was adjustments on the offensive line as first round pick Max Iheanachor and Brock Hoffman were inserted into the starting lineup.
“It’s something that we talked about after the game, but also Max [Iheanachor] — I mean, Max is a talented young man. I think that’s evident. His injury was a setback in training camp, but he’s ready. It was time to give him that opportunity,” said McCarthy. “Brock [Hoffman] has been playing every position inside, and he’s been pushing for an opportunity. So, to do that with both those guys, that decision was made earlier in the week.”
On defense, the Steelers may have given up 27 points, but they made the plays when needed, especially on the Bengals final drive as DT Derrick Harmon sacked Bengals QB Joe Burrow (28/37, 282 yards, 3TDs), forced him to fumble the ball, which was recovered by fellow Steelers DT Sebestian Joseph-Gray. The offense then took a knee to close out the game.
“I think the biggest thing is I thought Patrick Graham, he didn’t panic as a play caller. He kept us in clean calls,” said McCarthy. “Then Derrick [Harmon], that was a big rush. That was a big-time rush, sack and fumble on it. You’ll be watching that on the highlights for quite some time. I just think it’s important in game situations to trust your players to make sure — a quick, clean call to me is better than a last-minute or last-second perfect call. I think that comes with trust between coaches and players and I thought we had that there critically at the end.”
The Steelers will now prepare quickly for a Thursday Night Matchup against another AFC North Rival, the 2-1 Cleveland Browns with hopes of being alone in first place in the Division.
“We’ll take a look at the game and the production. I’m sure everybody, myself included, is going back to the south side tonight and taking a quick look at this and then we’ll get on to Cleveland in the morning,” said McCarthy.
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