Steelers Week 6 Reaction

 As some of you may know from my outros last week, I wasn't originally going to write this today. I thought I had an appointment today to get my wisdom teeth out, but apparently it was just a consultation. I also didn't really get a chance to watch the game due to family obligations over the holiday weekend, so writing this is a bit disingenuous? I don't know I am pretty sure it's just my emotional response to the game every week anyway so does watching it even matter? Yes, it does. Either way lets gooo Steelers win!

Najee Harris Formal Apology

Najee, I am sorry. I have been super hard on the running back the past few weeks and some would say rightfully so. Najee's production against the Cowboys and Colts was bad to say the least. It looked especially glaring when the third string back Cordarrelle Patterson could come in and make running the football look easy before going back to Najee to get stuffed for 1 yard. Sunday was different though and Harris looked every bit like the back they thought they'd be getting in the first round. Najee had 14 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. He had multiple "angry" runs where he seemingly dragged a pile of defenders with him for extra yardage. All I got to see was highlights so maybe that overrepresents the good stuff he did, still it looked like Najee was able to control the tempo for the Steelers. 

With Jaylen Warren back from a knee injury, the Steelers now have a more speedy back to compliment Najee in the back field. Having running backs with two different styles is both fun to watch and keeps the defense on its toes. I really look forward to Najee continuing to shut me up by carrying this high level play into the coming weeks. 

Fields - Enough to Get it Done

Now again, I am being disingenuous because the highlights only show me the good stuff. I did consume some Steelers post game content though so I think I can cobble together some thoughts. Fields had an OK day throwing the ball. There were a few chances that he missed, a few chances that his receivers let him down and a few that he hit. Fields also threw an interception that was called back for a roughing the passer penalty. Where Fields really showed his skills is on the ground. Fields had multiple scrambles for 10+ yards in what I like to call true scrambles rather than designed QB runs. I love these kinds of plays, I feel like it puts the defense in impossible situations on third and short or in the red zone having to worry about the pass and the run simultaneously. Fields chipped in with 2 rushing TDs as well after the defense set the Steelers up with great field position. 

Not a perfect day for the QB but still a good one and more than enough to get it done. I saw a commenter on Reddit remark that Fields has 10 total touchdowns to 1 turnover this season. Not blow you away superstar type numbers, but really solid stuff from the young QB who's certainly played a role in the Steelers being 4-2. 

Selling my Pickens Stock

Coming into the season I was a big Pickens fan. I even wrote articles prophesizing a breakout year from the young WR. I am now officially out on Pickens. Fields' day could've looked a lot better if Pickens held on to some passes that hit him right in the hands. To wear eye black that reads "Always Fucking Open" and then drop passes when you actually are open is embarrassing. The media in Pittsburgh is turning against Pickens with claims coming in that he's frequently the last one to arrive at practice. Pickens has done nothing to squash these rumors as well. The last few weeks there has been a trend of Pickens not running routes hard unless the call is for the ball to find him. He's been an atrocious blocker all season and overall seems to care more about his stats than the team's success. I've mentioned before, the Steelers have nothing even close to replacing him in the passing game so he will continue to be WR1 for the time being. Here's hoping that like Najee, my open disdain will fuel a good performance from him next week. 

That's it, short one this week because again I didn't really get to watch. The defense is the real story of this game, multiple timely turnovers put the Steelers in a great position to get it done. The offense isn't perfect but it's certainly better than last year and OH YEAH the Steelers now have the best point differential in all of the AFC. That's right, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the cream of the crop in the AFC, I don't make the rules.