Photo: steelers.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers have won three consecutive games, and while the offense hasn’t always been pretty, there’s a common theme emerging from their recent success. Pittsburgh is starting to win the battles along the line of scrimmage, something that wasn’t necessarily happening consistently during the first few weeks of the season.
Sunday’s 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints was another example of that progress. The Steelers leaned on their running game, limited what New Orleans could accomplish on the ground, and made enough plays defensively to leave Paris with another victory.
Now, with the Cleveland Browns coming to Pittsburgh for a rematch of their Week 4 loss. Sites that offer American football betting with crypto have the early lines as close as three points, with Pittsburgh as the favorite. The question, now, is whether the Steelers can continue building on their improvements against a familiar AFC North opponent.
When Mike McCarthy took over as head coach, he made it clear that controlling the line of scrimmage would be a priority. His first two coaching hires were defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and offensive line coach James Campen, and that wasn’t a coincidence. McCarthy wanted coaches who could maximize the talent Pittsburgh already had in the trenches while continuing to develop younger players such as Zach Frazier, Troy Fautanu, Keeanu Benton, and Derrick Harmon.
During Monday’s press conference, McCarthy discussed the importance of having the right combination of veterans and younger players, particularly when it comes to learning from established leaders such as Cameron Heyward.
He believes those relationships are beginning to pay off, and the results against New Orleans certainly support that assessment. McCarthy said the Steelers went into Paris emphasizing the need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and he was pleased with how his team responded.
Of course, one good performance doesn’t mean everything has been fixed. Pittsburgh has shown flashes of strong play throughout the season, only to struggle with some of the same issues the following week. However, the consistency we’re beginning to see up front suggests the Steelers are becoming more comfortable with what their coaching staff wants to accomplish.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of Pittsburgh’s improved offensive line play has been the running back combination of Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. Warren has provided the physicality and explosiveness we’ve come to expect, while Dowdle’s return to health gives the Steelers another capable option. McCarthy described both as two of the team’s best players and emphasized the importance of keeping them involved throughout the game.
Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio was particularly pleased with the balance against New Orleans, noting that Pittsburgh finished with approximately 30 runs and 30 passes.
The Steelers have also been remarkably effective in short-yardage situations, with Monday’s press conferences highlighting that Pittsburgh has converted every rushing attempt on third or fourth down with two yards or fewer to gain.
Angelichio credited Frazier, Mason McCormick, and Brock Hoffman for creating movement up front, along with the running backs for getting downhill and finishing their runs.
Another interesting development has been the increased use of Spencer Anderson as an additional offensive lineman. Pairing Anderson with Darnell Washington gives Pittsburgh some serious size in heavier formations, but like last season, Anderson’s versatility also prevents those packages from becoming completely predictable.
Against a Cleveland defense that likes to attack the line of scrimmage, having those additional options could make a difference.
While the offense has been finding more success running the football, Pittsburgh’s defense has made significant improvements in stopping opposing rushing attacks.
Patrick Graham was asked Monday about the Steelers allowing approximately 52 fewer rushing yards per game over their last five contests compared to their first two. He credited improved tackling and the defense becoming more comfortable with its responsibilities, noting that the early portion of the season can sometimes feel like an extension of training camp.
Graham wants opposing running backs funneled toward his defensive linemen, where players such as Heyward and Benton can use their size and strength to limit additional yardage.
The development of Yahya Black has also been encouraging, particularly with Sebastian Joseph-Day on injured reserve and younger players being asked to contribute more. Gabe Rubio is another player receiving opportunities, giving the Steelers additional depth as the season progresses.
Those improvements have helped Pittsburgh’s inside linebackers as well. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson have looked increasingly comfortable within Graham’s system, and the coordinator believes simplifying certain responsibilities has allowed them to play faster. McCarthy specifically praised Queen’s performance against New Orleans, while Wilson’s interception was one of the game’s biggest defensive plays.
The Browns present an interesting test because Pittsburgh doesn’t have to look very far back to remember what went wrong in their first meeting.
Cleveland has demonstrated its ability to win close games, and Graham emphasized Monday that the Steelers must be prepared to finish every play, every series, and the game itself. That’s particularly important against a physical divisional opponent that has already beaten them once this season.
Cleveland’s defense won’t make things easy, either. Angelichio expects the Browns to continue using an aggressive front, with linebackers attacking downhill and safety Grant Delpit frequently involved in run support.
That could make establishing the running game more difficult than it was against New Orleans, especially if Pittsburgh struggles to create manageable down-and-distance situations.
Still, there’s reason to believe the Steelers are better equipped for this matchup than they were a few weeks ago. Their offensive line is finding some consistency, Warren and Dowdle are giving the offense a productive combination in the backfield, and the defensive front has made noticeable improvements against the run. None of that guarantees a victory, but it does suggest that McCarthy’s vision for this football team is beginning to come together.
The Steelers have an opportunity to reach 6-2 and extend their winning streak to four games, but they’ll have to earn it against a Browns team that knows them well. If Pittsburgh can continue controlling the line of scrimmage the way it has in recent weeks, it will go a long way toward avoiding another disappointing result against Cleveland.
