It looks like this. The question is whether this formula can get them there.
The Steelers defeated the Raiders 32-13 in Sin City, decisively ending a two-game losing streak and falling to 4-2, giving them plenty to be happy with.
Offensively, they went into the game with the same starting five for the second straight game, the first time this has happened all season. And the running game responded with 183 yards (or more), the most productive of 2024. He averaged 5.2 yards per game (more than a full-yard improvement over the 4.1 against Indianapolis) and three rushing touchdowns (one more than the two against Indianapolis).
Najee Harris did the heavy lifting, giving credit to the same five linemen and tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington for their great work on the block and perimeter players. In fact, it would be more appropriate to describe it as sculpted by Harris.
Yes, it’s also true that Harris added to that total yesterday after entering the game with 106 yards, a 7.6-yard average and 36 touchdowns, ranking fourth in the NFL in broken tackles. However, it should be noted that Harris’ 14 carries included gains of 13, 15, 26, and 36 yards, which is a significant amount for a guy who weighs 242 pounds.
And after that, no matter what the Raiders defense did, Justin Fields sucked the remaining life out of them. Fields gained 59 yards on 11 carries, but when you subtract the knee down on the winning run, he had seven carries/scrambles, which were big plays that sealed the win. He completed a second-and-10 with a 14-yard run. 2nd-and-13 on an 18-yard run. To cap off a six-play, 30-yard drive following the takeaway, Fields ran 7 yards on first-and-10 at the Raiders’ own 12-yard line. And on a 3, a touchdown on a 4th-and-1 from the 3-yard line.
NFL quarterbacks can typically be classified as mobile, scramblers, or runners. Since entering the NFL in 2021, only Lamar Jackson has more rushing yards than Fields, and only Jalen has more rushing touchdowns than him. Just Hurts and Josh Allen. Fields is a runner.
Coach Mike Tomlin said of his team’s running game, “I thought it was a total effort, not only the bigs but also the guys on the perimeter.” “And obviously Nagy and everyone else. But every time I scored a run, I thought it was a group, not an individual. On that breakout run (Harris’ 36-yard touchdown), (Pat Frier) I think Masu]sealed off the batting lineup.” Watching that, I felt they were gathering the energy and effort they needed. ”
The question is whether Fields, as a passer, can live in the same zip code as Jackson, Hurts and Allen. That’s because the upcoming schedule includes home-and-home vs. the Ravens, Bengals and Browns plus one game. -In off-season games against Washington, Philadelphia and Kansas City, players will need to be at least 14-of-24 (58.3 percent) for 145 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 75.9 rating.
That’s because the defense may get three takeaways. One was a fumble recovery at the opposing 30-yard line, one was a forced fumble at the 1-yard line, and one was an interception and return. Opponent’s 7-yard line – but most of the time that’s not the case. And while special teams sometimes contribute to blocked punts, like against the Raiders, which are recovered at the opponent’s 9-yard line, most of the time they don’t.
If the defense and special teams don’t make that kind of contribution, the Steelers will need an NFL-caliber passing game, but the best word to describe Fields’ passing at this point is “sometimes.”
He looks at it and sometimes he throws it on time and on target, and other times he’s missing one of those three things. By all accounts, Fields is a hard worker who has leadership skills and is a good teammate, but will he develop into a player who can discern that and be able to pitch on time and on target most of the time? Is it fair to expect that? now. That’s because the Steelers can put a defense on the field that includes dynamic players at every level of the unit. Plus, they can bring in special teams with a punter averaging 47.6 yards, a place kicker with a 95.2 percent conversion rate, and a field goal and goal blocking unit. Punted in the last two games.
For the first time this season, Russell Wilson was the No. 2 quarterback, but that title was not given to him in the meeting’s perfect attendance award. Wilson was medically cleared to participate fully in practice, and coach Mike Tomlin liked what he saw.
“First and foremost, my No. 1 goal was that I wanted him to be able to demonstrate his health, his ability to not only move but also protect himself. I was really happy with what I saw there. ,” Tomlin said. “The remaining issue is getting rid of the rust and getting some rapport, relationships with a set of receivers or things of that nature. And I think it was a really good week from that standpoint.”
Eventually, Tomlin will get to the point where he’s seen enough of Wilson to start making initial plans for the quarterback position. As a refresher, here’s what Tomlin said on the subject a few days before the Aug. 17 preseason game against Buffalo.
“(The quarterback depth chart) is probably in the same spot I described from spring to summer. Both players are competing for the role. The whole body of work he brought to this situation is new to us. I had the opportunity to get to know them through this process. Russ is now completely healthy. It’s scheduled to be completed in the next few weeks, so I’m excited to see it happen. ”
That enthusiasm was greatly dampened by a recurrence of Wilson’s calf injury, which he sustained on the day the players reported to training camp, and the veteran’s nine-time Pro Bowl and Super Bowl championship career took a backseat. But there’s something appealing about Wilson: the way he sees the field, his ability to pitch proactively, his infectious personality combined with his inclusive mentality and upbeat approach to teammates. He took pole position and maintained that position throughout the offseason program. His new teammates voted him captain.
Looks like it’s time to review all of that. Right away. That’s because it’s “now”.
The Steelers now have to play 11 straight games in a tougher schedule than any other team during the same period. Now is the time when they have a defense and special teams that look like they can address their end of the bargain. Now is the time when they are starting to bring back some of the walking wounded. Now, it’s going to take more from the offense than the running game to get enough wins in those 11 games to get there and do what needs to be done once we get there.
It would mean a lot to know if Wilson has what it takes to make a difference. It will happen, because it has to happen. Meanwhile, it’s always fun to take down the Raiders in their place when they’re occupied by the Terrible Towels.
