Pittsburgh Needs To Get Back To Basics in Vegas
Photo Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers are hitting the road for the first time this season as they travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders on Sunday Night Football. Despite their lackluster start to the season the Black and Silver always seem to come ready to play against Tomlins bunch.
But after seeing two elite defenses(and very good teams for that matter) in as many weeks, the Steelers can take advantage of some of Vegas’ glaring weaknesses by getting back to basic football.
Lets take a look at how Pittsburgh can win this pivotal road game.
Neutralizing Threats With The D Line
The Raiders have Josh Jacobs, the NFL rushing leader from a year ago, but their offensive line leaves a lot to be desired. Jacobs had a whopping -2 yards on nine carries last week against Buffalo. Good News for Steeler Nation, Pittsburgh’s front seven bares a strong resemblance to the Bills. Both employ mostly serviceable linebackers that rely on a front fours speed and strength to shut down the run game. As long as Pittsburgh stays aggressive, and gap sound on the line, running lanes should be few and far between and linebackers should be free to roam and make plays
DeMarvin Leal, Larry Ogunjobi, and Cole Holcomb each played very well against Cleveland. All three got high marks for their run fits and didn’t get washed down by the Browns outstanding interior lineman. If they can put on a repeat performance against a definitively inferiority line Pittsburgh will be in a very good position.
Through the air the key is hanging with Davante Adams. You can’t expect to sit down one of the best receivers on the game but there are things this dealers can do to slow him down to a manageable pace. Jimmy Garoppolo already has a great chemistry with the star and Pittsburgh will need to bracket him with a safety over the top. Even that might not be enough to slow Adams down but luckily that same Steelers line has the potential neutralizer in their strong pass rush. The Raiders have struggled on the outside where the defenses strength in TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nate Herbig, and Markus will all have an opportunity create havoc. Leal and Ogunjobi will again need to provide the push up front to eliminate escape routes for Garoppolo when pressure from outside comes. Twist games inside as well as zone blitzes always give even the best of lines trouble. The Steelers would be wise to use some of these schemes against Vegas.
Run Down Hill
Matt Canadas has fallen in love with jet sweeps and outside zone plays that up to this point have not worked out well for the offense. It’s time to do what this offensive line was built to do.This isnt a smaller athletic zone booking line like San Francisco or Philadelphia. This line is built to be mashers. Physical one on one we can beat you run blocking. Put the offensive line in an advantage and let them attack the defensive lineman by running down hill and between the tackles.
The small success the team has had running the ball this year has been on quick hitting down hill runs. The Raider gave up 183 yards rushing at a 5.2 yards per clip against Buffalo last week. There will be running lanes inside. Canada just has to trust the type of lineman he has and stay with it. Don’t over think it and run right at them.
Trust What You See Kenny
After watching the all-22 from the Browns game, Kenny Pickett missed a ton of opportunities. He forced the ball to guys that were covered when others were not. More importantly, the inaccuracy has been alarming. Despite saying all the right things to the media, it seems apparent that confidence is currently an issue for the second year signal caller. Under throwing slant routes and comeback routes is not what confident NFL quarterbacks do.
Pickett I believe, as they say in the world of NBA shooters, just needs to see one go through the net. He needs a big throw to buck his current trend and put him right back on track. Yes, the touchdown to Pickens last week was impressive. But the former Pitt Panther needs to let one fly. Pickett has yet to throw a ball 40 yards down the field this season. The Raiders present an excellent opportunity. If the o-line can help the run game be a real threat while also neutralising Maxx Crosby’s pass rush threat Pickett should have the time to collect himself and take some shots against a secondary that was just torched by Josh Allen for 274 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Let’s see Canada, establish a run threat early, get pick it going with a couple of easy throws, and then bam take a deep play action shot. A sequence like that could change everything for the offense
Offensive Line Stand Up
The Steelers line has been embarrassed the last two weeks against two outstanding defenses.
This needs to be a get back week for the oline. Missed assignments and getting overpowered at the point of attack are becoming the norm. Pittsburgh’s beef eaters have to bring a nasty streak to Vegas that they have yet to show this season.
We can blame Canada. We can blame Pickett. But if the line continues to play this way, there’s nothing anyone else can do that will truly matter.
It all starts with winning on first down. If your QB is struggling, help him by playing ahead of the sticks. The team needs to get into more 2nd and 6 situations versus 2nd and 9.
Getting movement at the point of attack will be key as far too often opposing defenses are playing on Pittsburgh’s side of the line of scrimmage. Stop letting linebackers run through the front and backside to shut down running plays. Its time to stand up.
Fortunately, after scene two of the best defences in the league in the first two weeks, Las Vegas allows an opportunity for all of this to come to fruition. If it doesn’t, there are going to be some serious problems moving forward.
Up Next