Harris Emergence as Passing Attack Grows

by Bo Marchionte
Published October 29, 2024, 01:15 AM

Pittsburgh, PA – With their 26-18 win over the New York Giants, the Steelers improved to an impressive 6-2 record, marking another step forward in their strong season. The offense, led by Russell Wilson, continued to show cohesion, with Wilson making key connections and orchestrating drives that kept Pittsburgh in control.

“It feels good winning,” George Pickens somberly replied after being asked how it felt to see the offense score the most points over a three-game stretch (95) since 2020 when the Steelers scored 105. “It feels good winning.”

The defense played a critical role as well, applying pressure and forcing turnovers at key moments to keep the Giants at bay. The balanced performance on both sides of the ball showed a team finding consistency, and the 6-2 record reflects their ability to execute in critical situations.

Despite the win the locker room or at least the players I spoke with were more concerned about correcting the mistakes that allowed the Giants to linger around in the game. Yes, they were happy, but quickly pointed out what needs to be fixed.

“I think we’re playing (long pause) enough to win,” DeShon Elliott said after the win. “We’re not playing at a level to be great as you can see tonight. You know, we gave up 157 yards rushing. I think we gave up 250 yards passing (264). That’s not Steelers football.”

A tight game 9-9 heading into the half, the Steelers were able to bust open the game with a couple of explosive plays by Calvin Austin. His 73-yard punt return was followed up by his 29-yard touchdown catch from Wilson.

It pushed the lead to 23-9 and gave Pittsburgh the cushion necessary to hold off New York late in the game. Austin finished the game with four catches for 54 yards along with his pair of touchdowns.

“I told him it was a matter of time he was going to get it soon,” Alex Highsmith said to the crowd of reporters postgame of Austin finding the end zone. “He’s a guy who comes in everyday and works his butt off. He’s humbled. He’s levelheaded. He’s a great dude.”

Wilson’s impact on the Steelers’ offense has been transformative, especially with his ability get the ball deep. In just the last two games, he’s connected with six different Steelers receivers who each reached their season-long receptions with him under center—more than they managed in their first six games combined.

His chemistry with his targets is evident, as he’s been reading defenses and finding opportunities to capitalize on his receivers’ strengths. This expanded reach among the receiving corps has forced opposing defenses to stay alert to multiple threats, opening up Pittsburgh’s playbook and making their offense much more dynamic. The Steelers offense is no longer one dimensional.

“Yeah, that feels great,” Van Jefferson said after the game in which he caught his season long 36-yard reception. “Obviously something we put an emphasis on this week. And Russ, you know, challenged us, you know, to make those plays.”

The resurgence of the passing attack has left defenses unable to stack the box against Najee Harris who is hitting his stride. He posted his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game while maintaining an impressive 6.1 yards per carry over that period.

This surge in efficiency and consistency has been pivotal in establishing the Steelers’ ground game, taking pressure off the passing attack and giving the offense a balanced, multifaceted approach.

Harris’s vision, combined with the offensive line’s improved blocking, is creating big play opportunities and wearing down defenses. His recent success is not only helping control the tempo but also keeping Pittsburgh’s offense in favorable down-and-distance situations, a key factor in their current winning momentum.

I said it last week after their win over the Jets and I’ll repeat the message. This is the first time since Ben Roethlisberger retired that this offense has a pulse. It’s catching up to the defense and along with their special teams is developing Pittsburgh into a quiet outlier as one of the top teams in the AFC.

“Yeah, it’s good to go out on primetime and play ball,” Jefferson said. “Your best is required. So, you know, I think it was cool to go out there and just show everybody, you know, how we can play and if we do it the right way. We can get rolling.”

Winners of three straight and heading into their bye week, Pittsburgh has dug themselves in as serious contenders near the midway point of the year. The leaders of the AFC North and we haven’t even mentioned T.J. Watt in this article. The guy who sealed the deal (like always) with a sack fumble and recovery.

Yikes!

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com