The Pittsburgh Steelers have completed Week 3 of their 2023 NFL schedule with a hard-fought 23-18 victory over a surprisingly 1-2 Las Vegas Raiders outfit. What may be even more surprising is that the Steelers are in first place in the AFC North. Pittsburgh has scored four offensive touchdowns in three weeks, but they are undefeated in the division and the conference.
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Steelers Mike Tomlin endures questions about his offense.
After the Sunday Night Football game, Mike Tomlin addressed the media and the obligatory questions about his offense. Tomlin was not patient with the press after the first two games and was not particularly indulgent after the Week 3 victory. Tomlin began the press conference with what he probably hoped would cut off the coming onslaught of questions about his offense.
“There is opportunities for growth, obviously, but I was really proud of the efforts,” Tomlin said. “Still very early stages of the year, we’ve got a lot to learn, we’ve got a lot to teach.”
The Steelers looked like they had secured victory when they were up 23-7 after Kenny Pickett's first career multi-touchdown game. However, the offense went flat after getting the two-touchdown cushion. The Raiders, with some help from the referees, closed the gap to 23-18. The Raiders made a curious decision not to go for the tying touchdown with under three minutes remaining. The Steelers offense managed one key first down and helped secure the victory.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Exasperated By Media Questions "We Are Not Apologizing For Winning"
There is no such thing as a moral victory in the NFL, and Tomlin knows it. In 2022, the Steelers started with just two wins through eight weeks and missed the playoffs by one game. The Steelers are in first place in the division. Tomlin knows how crucial early season victories are during an NFL season. He is not apologizing for stacking wins early in 2023.
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Steelers Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada and Quarterback Kenny Pickett are as far from a perfect match as you can get in 2023
After several terse answers to questions about his offense, one reporter asked if Tomlin felt the guys on offense could draw confidence from this performance. The Pittsburgh head coach is obviously tired of the circus surrounding Matt Canada, Pickett and the rest of the offensive unit.
“We’re not looking for confidence. We’re looking for victory,” Tomlin answered. “That’s what we came here to do tonight, and we did it.”
Tomlin is the most loquacious coach in the NFL. The media adore him and his endless Tomlinisms. However, this is the second week in a row that Tomlin has had to remind reporters that he doesn’t care what it looks like. He wants to win. The Steelers have not won the AFC North since 2020 or a playoff game since 2016. Two facts that Tomlin seems keenly focused on changing in 2023.
If the playoffs started today, the Steelers would open at Acrisure Stadium. The team has “stumbled” into a first-place start and play the Houston Texans for a chance to stay there in Week 4. Tomlin’s teams typically improve as the year progresses. Frankly, this team has nowhere to go but up with the on-field product.
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Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth celebrates Kenny Pickett's second touchdown pass in a 23-18 victory
Fans are still frustrated with the lack of creativity on offense. Pat Freiermuth, George Pickens and Calvin Austin III made big plays in the passing game. However, the Steelers running game was incredibly predictable. The Raiders keyed on the simple facts of the Steelers offense. If they line up under center and Najee Harris is in the game, it is a run. Las Vegas cornerbacks and safeties did not even pretend it was a pass.
Harris has virtually no chance in the running game. At least Warren occasionally gets a carry from the shotgun, the only apparent tendency breaker the Steelers offense knows. Sunday Night Football analyst, Cris Collinsworth pointed out that fact late in the game when Warren was on the field.
"It just seems like there are a few more plays in the playbook when Jaylen Warren is on the field," Collinsworth noted.
Warren has more burst because the Steelers are much less predictable when he is on the field. It is curious that Harris, who set the Steelers rookie franchise receptions record in 2021, is almost nonexistent in the passing game as a target in 2023. Maybe Canada forgot that Harris could catch passes, too?
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada have little to smile about after two weeks of the 2023 season
It is hard to feel sorry for Tomlin because he created this situation. He hired Canada, and somebody retained him for 2023. Art Rooney II and Tomlin aren't telling, so maybe we should start blaming security. After all, they let him in the building and on team flights. If they focus sharply, they could do the franchise a favor and get rid of Canada. It is clear that ownership and Tomlin have no intention of doing it at this point.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you have empathy for Tomlin getting hounded after wins about the offense? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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