Steelers' Najee Harris admits Mike Tomlin challenged him ahead of Week 3
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense had yet to total triple digits in rushing yards heading into Week 3. Unable to generate any push up front, the offensive line was a culprit in the team's inability to get things moving. But according to Najee Harris, Mike Tomlin placed some of that blame on his shoulders, challenging him […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense had yet to total triple digits in rushing yards heading into Week 3.
Unable to generate any push up front, the offensive line was a culprit in the team's inability to get things moving.
But according to Najee Harris, Mike Tomlin placed some of that blame on his shoulders, challenging him to show up on Sunday Night Football:
"It's A Challenge He Gave Me"
"He challenged me a lot," Harris told reporters after the team's win in Vegas. "He put up film saying, 'Look, you need to win these 1-on-1s right here. These are looks you need to win that work out in your favor.' So it's a challenge he gave me."
And while looking at the box score alone may still present some doubt for Harris given he only rushed for 65 yards, there was a different tone to Harris' gate, as he played with the physicality that should be omnipresent given his frame:
"When we run the ball it opens up a lot, that's our identity, we gotta run the ball, added Harris. "That's who we are. That's who we've been for my three years being here. We've always been a team that can run the ball. If you run the ball it opens up a lot for the receivers. It opens up a lot for the play-action, the tight ends, that's how Pat scored his touchdown. We just gotta keep working."
And Harris is right, it's no coincidence that the Steelers' best offensive output of the season came in a game where they also rushed for a season-high (105) in rushing yards.
The question now is how sustainable the process is. Vegas has one of the worst front sevens in the league, meaning even a team like Pittsburgh who has struggled to generate a consistent ground game should excel.
But you can only play who is on your schedule, and as Coach Tomlin would say, "We won't apologize for winning." Keeping the ball rolling is the next step.
Steelers just stumbled into an offensive goldmine
It may have come from necessity, but it will stay for functionality.
Featured image via: © Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
