Many people, including most of us here at SCU, felt the biggest key to the game going into the Steelers-Jets game last Sunday, would be in the trenches: the Jets great defensive line versus a banged-up Steelers offensive front.

One of the biggest concerns going into the game was whether G Ramon Foster would be healthy, and ready to go, as well as not only replacing starting RT Marcus Gilbert, but also his backup, swing tackle Ryan Harris (who was placed on IR this weekend). Their replacement: perennial practice squad player, G Chris Hubbard.

Yes: guard Chris Hubbard.

Not tackle Chris Hubbard.

Why was this that big of a concern?

Well for starters, Hubbard wasn’t a particularly effective guard. He dabbled as a backup center, and could be seen as a hanger-on because of his versatility (something which Mike Tomlin and his staff are very big on, if you look up and down the roster).

Many felt having Hubbard play at tackle would be a disaster, especially against a front 7 as vaunted as the Jets.

Then the game was played, and the stuff “on paper” didn’t materialize in quite the same disaster situation as many panicked over days earlier. In fact, Hubbard was regarded as the player of the game by many post game (including former Steelers QB Charlie Batch, who said “give that man a game ball!”).

Hubbard did not allow a single pressure or sack against the Jets, an astonishing feat with all that’s been considered: the Jets front, not playing tackle, etc. The team had even worked out Maurkice Pouncey as a right tackle in practice, toying with the notion of moving the center down the line, and allowing a “more seasoned” player get the reps at center in Pouncey’s place.

Yet, none of that was necessary. Rather than weaken two positions, the Steelers played Hubbard at right tackle, chipping tight end help with him all game; which Ben Roethlisberger acknowledged as “unnecessary,” as Hubbard went unnoticeable (just as you’d want from a lineman).

Pro Football Focus, a website we all have a love/hate relationship with, had the same sentiments. They gave Hubbard the best grade of all Steelers last Sunday, and one of the best offensive line grades Pittsburgh has had all year.

In fact, PFF ranked Hubbard as their 7th best player from Sunday’s games!

Top-graded @Steelers players
G Christopher Hubbard 84.2
G Ramon Foster 80.6
ED James Harrison 80.2
QB Ben Roethlisberger 80.1#NYJvsPIT

— PFF (@PFF) October 9, 2016

While all of this came as a huge (and pleasant) surprise to Steelers Nation, Hubbard was confident in his ability to step in as the starting right tackle:

“I feel comfortable at tackle. I played it in college. That was one of my main positions.”

Hubbard was a key cog in the Steelers offense against the Jets, allowing New York to get a mere 4 pressures on QB Ben Roethlisberger. Ben completed 34 of his 47 pass attempts, good for a 72.3% completion, and a 124.4 quarterback rating, behind the outstanding line play.

Big Ben would only be sacked once in this game, and has remained relatively untouched throughout his five starts this season:

7 different linemen have started for #Steelers. @_BigBen7 only sacked 9 times. Tied for 5th-fewest in league for QBs with at least 5 starts.

— ꌚꏸꋫ꒓ꉣꌚ (@scarpizio) October 11, 2016

This can be attributed to the Steelers mantra of “The Standard is The Standard”. Hubbard’s performance on Sunday is an indication that the team is buying into famous Tomlin-ism, as offensive line coach Mike Munchak has not only coached up Chris Hubbard, but also worked with G B.J. Finney the week prior (who was also highly regarded by PFF).

I believe all of these players deserve a huge round of applause from Steelers Nation. While it’s a short period to look at, in terms of their body of work, their contributions have been nothing short of incredible.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4-1, in large part, because of their real MVP’s: the offensive line.