Stock Up/ Stock Down Pittsburgh Week 17

By Brien Hanley on January 1, 2024

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With their playoff chances on life support, the Pittsburgh Steelers put together an impressive road victory in Seattle against the Seahawks. For the second consecutive week, the Steelers’ offense flourished. Their output of 468 yards was the most this season. And, most importantly, at 9-7 they still have a shot at the postseason. 

Here is what is trending up and down after the Week 17 victory.

Stock Up

Offensive Line

After being maligned for much of the season, the Steelers’ offensive line took the fight directly to the Seahawks to the tune of 202 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Even more impressive was the 145 yards on 24 carries in the first half — their most rushing yards in the first half since 2006. 

The movement at the point of attack was incredible. Many times there was a wall of blocks in front of running backs before they hit the holes. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren both averaged over 4.5 yards per carry. 

The line allowed one sack, but for the majority of the game they maintained a clean pocket. It allowed quarterback Mason Rudolph to find receivers downfield, providing a deep-passing game that Pittsburgh has lacked most of the season.

Najee Harris

Fans have been screaming for Jaylen Warren to replace Harris as the lead back for much of the season. For the last month, Harris has done his best to  quiet those rumblings. While Warren had a good day, Harris showed why he was taken 24th overall in the 2021 draft.

Harris’ vision has been questioned all year long, but it wasn’t a problem against the Seahawks. Several times he made moves in the hole to side-step initial tackles and gain extra yards. He was constantly moving forward.

Power has never been his problem, as he demonstrated here with a stiff arm that screamed, “Get out of the club.”

Najee Harris with the Stiff Arm! 😤 #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/5bOKDZGEbm

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) December 31, 2023

Not to mention the touchdown where he seemed to push, with help from his teammates, the entire Seattle defense over the goal line from four yards out.

Touchdown Najee Harris! What an effort on Bobby Wagner! #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/Xjov6MDDUw

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) December 31, 2023

But nothing showed Harris’ power, agility, and balance than this second-quarter touchdown run. 

Najee Harris TD run #Steelers pic.twitter.com/XNtlkVI7cO

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) December 31, 2023

Stock Down

Defense

The Steelers defense showed plenty of holes against a potent Seattle offense, some that they were never really able to plug.

Geno Smith was 23/33 and threw for 290 yards and a touchdown. D.K. Metcalf had his way with rookie Joey Porter Jr for five catches for 106 yards. It seemed like receivers were running free for much of the first half. 

The Seahawks’ run game was effective when they chose deploy it. Kenneth Walker III had 53 yards on 10 attempts. Seattle chose to increasingly move away from the run game thanks to the Steelers possessing the ball for more than 37 minutes. That was a good thing for Pittsburgh; injuries to the linebacking and safety units are really starting to take a toll up the middle.

Kenny Pickett

While Kenny Pickett was sidelined due to injury, Mason Rudolph again was magnificent. Rudolph is doing all the things that Pickett had been unable to do under center. Rudolph is using the entire football field, including taking several shots 20-plus yards down the field.

The last two games Rudoplh has played have been better than anything Pickett has put on film in his two seasons in Pittsburgh. That means something. The offense is responding to the signal caller out of Oklahoma State. While Pickett had his moments, he has been wildly inconsistent this season. With one game left and the season on the line, it would be an act of treason if head coach Mike Tomlin went back to Pickett.

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