How The Steelers Can Get The Train Back On the Tracks
Aug 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) passes the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Three weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were sitting at 7-4 and holding on to the fifth seed in the AFC playoff race. Two teams were coming to town with a combined four wins, to be followed by a trip to Indianapolis. The Steelers didn’t just have a path to the playoffs, they had a wide-open lane.
Three weeks later, and not only is the Black and Gold on the outside looking in at a playoff berth, they have played progressively worse in each of those three games, ending with complete domination at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts.
However, all is not lost. Sitting at 7-7. The Steelers still have the chance to salvage their season and make the playoffs. It will start this week with a contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Although Pittsburgh beat the Bengals a month ago, Cincy hasn’t lost since and is playing extremely good football.
Let’s take a look at some keys to this must-have victory.
Make the Bengals One-Dimensional
Joe Mixon comes into the game ranked 11th in the NFL in rushing at 815 yards on the season. Those aren’t overwhelmingly great numbers, but he’s effective enough to keep teams honest. Cincinnati wants to throw the football, but they can’t allow teams to tee off and rush the passer on every down. The run game, especially over the last three weeks, has done enough to manipulate defenses and keep pass rushers at bay.
Controlling the line of scrimmage will again be key. The Steelers shut down the Bengals’ rushing gang to the tune of 25 yards rushing in the initial meeting. With the middle linebacker position being devastated with injuries, guys like Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton will need to hold their ground and two gap so offensive lineman can’t get to the next level.
Jake Browning has been playing outstanding football since taking over for injured starter Joe Burrow. There is no question he will be a highly sought-after commodity come the off season. The Steelers held him to 227 yards in the first meeting and sacked him four times and intercepted him once to pretty much seal the game.
The Bengals have a very talented receiving corps, even without the services of Ja’Marr Chase, who will be out with a shoulder injury. Getting after the young signal caller again is where Pittsburgh has an advantage. Cincinnati tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Jonah Williams have struggled for much of the season. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith need to take advantage of those struggles and push the pocket. An interior rush will also be key to eliminate escape routes for Browning.
Help Mason Rudolph
After a second-straight abysmal performance by Mitch Trubisky, head coach Mike Tomlin is turning to Mason Rudolph to lead the offense; Kenny Pickett is still not ready to return after ankle surgery.
It’s important to not allow the entire game plan to revolve around Rudolph. The run game must get back on track. The last time Pittsburgh moved the ball on the ground with success was against the Bengals. The offensive line was aggressive at the point of attack. They got to second-level defenders. There was also a plan of attack that made sense. We haven’t seen any of that the last three games.
The Cincinnati game also represented that last time Pittsburgh attacked the middle of the field. Tight end Pat Freiermuth had a career day but has been more or less ignored since. The Bengals will still allow the middle of the field to be exploited with their two-high safety look. The Steelers must make them pay.
The Locker Room Has To Come Together
There has been too much talking coming out of the Steelers locker room that doesn’t contribute to winning. Mike Tomlin addressed some of these comments head on, which was a welcome sight that has been missing all season.
#Steelers Mike Tomlin trying to educate Pickens, when he says stuff the vultures come out pic.twitter.com/1SSoAZqHjm
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) December 20, 2023
The lack of awareness is coming to a head. George Pickens’ effort has been pathetic at best, and he’s now blaming the media for his shortcomings. The locker room is a mess.
Wanted to add some clarity as the person who shot the video here.
George Pickens clarified that what he meant was he didn't meet w/Mike Tomlin after the Colts game, but they did after the Patriots game, which was what Tomlin referenced on https://t.co/s27Vb5sVFd.#Steelers https://t.co/P6JFNtgZSh
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) December 20, 2023
If the season is to be salvaged, the attitude in the locker room has to change. That’s even more difficult with the lack of veteran leadership on the offensive side of the ball. But a successful performance against Cincinnati can go a long way to easing the friction that seems to have intensified over the past month.
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