Have to congratulate everyone. But let's not forget Harris

Almost 100 yards and averaged 6.6.

 

Sure is nice to have 2 rbs

 

Run D also- 11 carries for 25 yards.

 

Harris was a literal beast today. For the first time in awhile he looked better than Warren. He ran with purpose today.

One could make the argument that Warren is making Nage play harder. Nothing like a little competition to get those juices flowing.

 

I started Warren over Derrick Henry because on Wednesday Henry was listed as questionable. I loved Harris going off but huge drop off for Warren this week. Like someone said in the game thread, looked like the Bengals were prepared for Warren.

 

I don't think anyone should overlook the "I'm tired of this sh*t" comment by him post-game last week - he may have been out to prove (correctly) a point about the offense and it's true problem.

 

Thank you

 

Great game by him, arguably top 2-3 in his career. He's a guy that has started 44 games and this is only the 7th time he's gotten more than 5 YPC (only once had better YPC than today - rookie year vs the Browns) and has gone for 4 YPC or less 28 times in those same games. He ran hard, with vision, lowered the shoulder, and dragged dudes with him. This needs to be his MO moving forward. He can be a valuable back for us, but he needs to continue to play like he did today and not try to be someone he isn't. We have a solid tandem for sure. This offense likely goes as well as the running game does moving forward this season.

 

Great game by him

Canada didn't help Harris most of the time too

 

Loved how hard he and Warren and Muth ran today. That as great to see!

 

Harris is the type of back that can help grind a defense down. HE had a few really angry runs today.

 

I'd love to see him behind a true road grader lead blocker. If he gets a head of steam before the hand off and a lead blocker can give him that little space over the LOS he will run over the undersized db's stacked against them.

 

Who knew switching out a liability in Chuks Okorafor for a road grader in Broderick Jones would be so effective?!


In fairness?! Not me. Not because I didn't believe Broderick couldn't play the position but because how much more raw he is playing Right Tackle than he would have been playing Left. I still believe (now hope) that the long term plan is to have Broderick transition back to being a Left Tackle whereas the Steelers can either sign one in Free Agency or draft one early. Have that player either start or sit behind the likes of Moore if it is a drafted RT.

 

Canada did help himself out of the building!!

 

Yes he ran harder and with a passion!!

 

I didn't know it would make this big of a difference, but I've been arguing for them to replace Okorafor for a long time. He is decent in pass protection, but he has always been a liability in the running game.

 

The Steelers did to the Bengals what other teams have been doing to them this season. They built up a massive edge in time of possession, 37:17 to 22:43. It was difficult for the Bengals to run the ball because they barely had it. I still would have put the ball in Mixon's hands more. He got only two yards per carry, but I imagine he would have done better with more touches.

 

It's what happens when a D starts building their game plan on You. I tried telling this to Najee haters, but they know better. It's why You continue to run both...more work for the D to plan against.

 

Now Warren knows how it feels when teams game plan for the RB, things are a lot tougher.

 

What. That's the first I'm hearing of this.

 

It certainly can be. Canada's usage of Harris hurt his production about as much as it did Pickett's. Harris is a valuable back when used properly, just like Warren. It's good we have both, and hopefully the play calling continues to put each is situations better inclined for each to succeed.

I also agree that Jones has provided a big lift to the run blocking.

 

This.


I would also like to add that pairing a running mate with Broderick Jones in the future should be a top priority. That way, whomever the new OC is will not have to worry about running wide to either side.

 

The current OC doesn't have to worry about running wide to either side. Moore's run blocking isn't the problem.

 

Pretty much everything I said/thought would happen once Canada was out of the place, did happen.
I do remain 'cautiously optimistic' though.
The Bengals are done without Burrows for sure.

The biggest takeaway for me is the sequences of plays they employed in the drives. That were sound calls to attack specific areas.
On the bad side, they still need to put up points. I do note, they should have challenged the TD call - that was a TD.

The tandem of Warren and Harris is in my opinion, a perfect pair. 'Thunder and lightning' come to mind.
When you run Harris north/south, he is as good a Henry.
I would not limit Warren to a 3rd down back, he's lethal on any down. They don't appear to be of that line of thinking.

Jones is just awesome as far as I am concerned, and the experience is only helping him be even better. I view him somewhere around a Trent Williams type.
A good draft would include another OT.

I love the job Sullivan and Falkner did. Sullivan did as I had been complaining about, get to his QB (and other players as needed) and coach him during the game.
Sullivan did exactly that.

On the good/bad front, DJ made some excellent catches and ran some crisp routes. I don't know what is in his head at times though. That effort after the Warren fumble was inexplicable and inexcusable. I also think Pickens was exposed as not applying his talent to his practices as his routes were on the lazy side and inconsistent. We need him to apply himself more as he does have a ton of talent.

I am more inclined to write off DJ idiot argument with Fitzpatrick and company as the frustration from Canada's awful planning. But that sort of junk needs to go away, completely.

This was an overall step in the right direction to build upon.

 

I think the WRs are very frustrated in this offense and with KP. It doesn’t excuse not being a professional but todays wideouts are all about stats.