Steelers may have stumbled into their secret for offensive success thanks to an injury that should have hurt more than it helped
The Pittsburgh Steelers found their offensive identity against Cincinnati, and Derrick Harmon delivered the play that sealed a massive Week 3 victory.
Jaylen Warren is not just RB1 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After Pittsburgh’s upset win over the Cincinnati Bengals at home, it is very clear that Warren is potentially weapon No. 1 for the Steelers offense. The Steelers entered as underdogs, but whether they meant to or not, they found their secret to success on offense. Anytime Warren touched the ball, he went to work, racking up over 176 total yards against a Bengals defense that had no answer for him. Warren had to carry the load with Rico Dowdle nursing a toe injury, so the Steelers fed him, and he delivered. More than delivered. He proved that the offense works at its most optimal, efficient, and explosive rate when he’s the featured back.
Jaylen Warren stats vs. Bengals
- 17 carries
- 127 rushing yards
- 3 receptions
- 49 receiving yards
Aaron Rodgers deserves credit, too. The quarterback played a phenomenal game, throwing for 292 passing yards and totaling 3 touchdowns. He did have an interception, but that one fell on wide receiver Roman Wilson. Rodgers looked good. The truth is, though, Warren was the straw that stirred the drink for Pittsburgh’s offense.
The right side of the offensive line changed everything
A huge shout out goes to the right side of that offensive line. Right guard Brock Hoffman and rookie offensive tackle Max Iheanachor stepped in on short notice after barely playing during the first two weeks. Pittsburgh completely changed up its pass protection from the Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook combination, and the results were immediate. Credit to the left side too, they were denting, creating holes all day in the run game.
That is Pittsburgh Steelers offensive football. That is what it is supposed to look like. The defense, on the other hand? Not so much, but it didn’t matter thanks to Derrick Harmon.
Derrick Harmon silences the doubters
The man who won the game for the Steelers was second-year defensive tackle, Derrick Harmon. In my opinion, Harmon has been wrongly criticized for his pass rush profile, and he just put a lot of doubters to bed.
Harmon penetrated the backfield and got to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for the first sack of the day. It was the first real pressure the Steelers had generated all game. Strip sack. Fumble. Steelers recover. Game over. Harmon delivered the biggest play of his young Steelers career, and it could not have come at a better moment.
Harmon, along with Cam Heyward, really put it on Cincinnati at the end of the game. The Pittsburgh defense survived, and the Steelers came away with a Week 3 victory over the Bengals.
Pittsburgh found something in this one: Warren as the offensive centerpiece, a reshuffled offensive line that can move people, and a young defensive tackle who can close games. If the Steelers can replicate that formula, this team could be dangerous.
