The Black and Yellow Brick Road
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers have improved this season. There is no debating that. The numbers and, most importantly, the wins have begun to stack up. Sitting at 4-2 they are developing into a team similar to what fans witnessed last year. An improved performance, week over week, on both sides of the ball. They are not where they want to be, but they are moving in a direction worth being excited about.
During his press conference on Tuesday, Tomlin did something he almost never does, he let the fans in. Tomlin is, without a doubt, must watch television both in his weekly and post-game pressers. His use of analogies and euphemisms brings joy to media pundits all over. Just listen to the Rich Eisen show where they have multiple soundbites from Tomlin on their sound board. Tomlin is a wordsmith, which aids him as he answers questions without answering them. He will react to questions with emotion, provide a glossy answer, and move on.
After the fourth-quarter comeback against the LA Rams this week, though, Tomlin pulled back the curtain and showed fans the wizard that is the Steelers coaching staff and front office. Particularly, he alluded to scripted plays early in games. He acknowledged the fact that they do in fact use a script, and as he was pressed on whether they would change the script considering the blunders on every opening drive, he adamantly denied that changes were needed.
This may frustrate some yinzers arahnd tahn, but he made valid points and looked at specific plays in detail. Again, something he doesn’t typically do. His highlights were on the lack of execution, particularly from Kenny Pickett. He didn’t throw Kenny under the bus, but he illustrated how thin the line has become in the narrative. If Kenny hits Pickens in bounds on the first-quarter fade, the conversation is different altogether. What I would add is that if George Pickens isn’t flagged for a crack back block during Diontae Johnson’s massive catch and run early on, the narrative is also likely to switch.
Tomlin also acknowledged that opening drives are as important for gathering information as they are for putting up points. They look at the game in totality and approach it the way boxers do. Elite boxers often work their way through early rounds and look for opponents tells. They find timing and tendencies and then they go to work. This is consistent with the Steelers’ progression each week. Fortunately, they have gathered that information in time to mount multiple fourth-quarter comebacks.
The offense is delicate, but the push to be solid throughout all four quarters of the game is worth recognizing, and they seem to be on the precipice of what they were in pre-season.
This match-up with the Jags from dahn in Duvalle will be the ultimate test for several reasons. It has legitimate playoff implications, which is shocking. More importantly, though, they are looking in the mirror. The similarities between these two teams are kind of astounding. Both teams have young, progressing quarterbacks. They also have suspect cornerback play, an emerging run game, and of course dynamic edge rushers. The question is, who can do it better? The Jaguars have signature wins this season, beating the Bills with conviction and smashing the Saints on Thursday night football. The Steelers have stolen wins from the Ravens and the Rams.
Both teams are also highly intent on solidifying themselves in the fourth quarter. The notable win for Jacksonville last year in the playoffs is a testament to their ability to hold tight late in games. With this in mind, the Steelers need to start faster than they have this season.
What makes this interesting is that both teams have developed a formula that seems to be working. It’s much uglier for Pittsburgh, but the sentiment remains. If Kenny’s steady improvement can begin earlier in games, they can begin to create problems for offenses earlier on. This is the week to lead with play-action and attach the Jaguars’ corners. If successful early on, Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris should find success on the ground. If not, the Jaguars will stack the box, as LA did, and force the Steelers to slog through three quarters.
Tomlin has been here before. Nothing looks right, and yet they win games. Perhaps he can stand behind the curtain and continue to turn this team into a legitimate contender, and come December we will all look back and wonder how it happened.
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