Steelers offense can be drastically improved with a simple change in priorities
Down 13-3 in the second quarter and with the ball in their own 14-yard line, the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to find a way to get into the end zone to keep Sunday night's game from spiraling out of control. They turned to George Pickens. The rookie delivered. On 2nd & 12, Pickett found Pickens wide […]
Down 13-3 in the second quarter and with the ball in their own 14-yard line, the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to find a way to get into the end zone to keep Sunday night's game from spiraling out of control.
They turned to George Pickens. The rookie delivered.
On 2nd & 12, Pickett found Pickens wide open on the sidelines on a go route that went for 30 yards. The Miami Dolphins completely lost him in coverage. A few plays later, the Steelers quarterback went to the rookie receiver in back-to-back plays (a slant and an out) to move the chains.
That would make it three catches on three targets for Pickens. Then, on 2nd & Goal came the cherry on top. No, it wasn't a George Pickens catch. Not at all. It was an all-capital-letters GEORGE PICKENS CATCH.
The Steelers' second-round draft pick faked the inside move and made the contested back-shoulder grab while floating (seemingly for an eternity) in the air AND managed to get two feet inbounds for the touchdown.
That had to be the catch of the week in the NFL.
It's hard for a single player to take over a game in pro football but for that offensive drive, that's what Pickens did. In that drive alone, we made four catches in four targets for 47 yards and an insane touchdown catch.
The Steelers seemed to have found a rhythm as they trailed by only three after racking up nine first downs in two drives against the Dolphins' defense.
So, naturally, George Pickens was targeted twice more over the rest of the game.
Wait, what? Why? How?
It's crazy to think that Pickens, who caught over 80 yards in two of the team's last three games, is not being featured by the Steelers' offense. That has to change.
It's not that he's being taken off the field. He played in 79% of the team's offensive snaps.
The All-22 should reveal more information when available but either A) Pickett is not looking for him or B) the scheme isn't prioritizing getting #14 the football. Most likely, it's a combination of both.
Moving forward, having Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool in the lineup shouldn't deter Matt Canada from finding easier ways to get Pickens more targets. Pittsburgh should find ways to get him involved in more ways than running go routes and being a threat on the outside and in contested throws.
The rookie has earned a bigger role.
Featured image via ANDRES LEIVA/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK
