Steelers' George Pickens Cautions That Week 7 Win Was Not A "Breakthrough" For The Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers came alive in the fourth quarter to beat the Los Angeles Rams 24-17 in Week 7. Those were the most points generated by the offense in one game during the 2023 season. The Steelers scored 26 points against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, but Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt were responsible for 14 of those points.

Watt nearly scored again in Week 7, but ultimately was stopped seven yards short of the goal line by the Rams offense after an interception on the first drive of the second half. The offense took three plays to punch the ball in when Kenny Pickett scored the first rushing touchdown of the season for the Steelers.

Pickett's internal clutch meter went off after trailing 17-10 to start the fourth quarter, and the Steelers stormed back with 14 fourth-quarter points. Pickett found Diontae Johnson and George Pickens for key completions during scoring drives that were finished by Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris. After the game, Pickens was asked if it was a breakthrough game for the offense.

“I wouldn’t say a breakthrough game,” Pickens retorted. “I would say we were super efficient like we kinda want to be every game, to be honest.”

The Steelers had a little over 100 yards of offense through the first three quarters. Efficient may not be the correct term unless the goal is to not gain yardage in Matt Canada's offense. Pickens was probably referring to the fourth quarter when the offense scored two touchdowns and held the ball for the game's final five minutes.

“Like I was saying, the efficiency, just executing the plays right on time. It just can’t get no better than that when the guys all come together in the second half.”

The observation by Pickens that this was not a breakthrough game is particularly savvy for a second-year wide receiver who demonstrated that he clearly still had self-control issues during the Week 7 victory. Unfortunately, the Steelers leading receiver was not the only one who demonstrated a lack of maturity and discipline in what ended up as another one-score victory for the black and gold.

The Steelers gained over 200 yards in the fourth quarter and, for the first time in 2023, looked like the team that won seven of their last nine games in 2022. Pittsburgh has yet to solve the problems offensively, but it looked like they could potentially unlock a productive formula in 2023. The AFC North title is achievable if the Steelers can score 24 points per game.

The Rams and Sean McVay have elevated offensive concepts, but are still searching for a consistent formula to win games. The Steelers can not expect to hang around until the fourth quarter of games against teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals if the offense waits until the 4th quarter to get going. If that is, in fact, the game plan, Pittsburgh will find themselves too far out of ballgames for Pickett to work his late-game magic.

Steelers Young Offense Completes Perfect Preseason And Raises Steeler Nation's Expectations

In Week 7, Pittsburgh finally put together an excellent quarter of offensive football. The next step is an entire half. Ideally, by the time the playoffs roll around, the Steelers will be playing complete games of efficient offense. Based on what fans have seen so far, the high hopes from the preseason for the offense are probably unrealistic. 

A spark was finally struck against the Rams, and the Steelers' offense scored three offensive touchdowns in one game. Pittsburgh finally has something to build on besides back-shoulder throws and jet sweeps in the Canada playbook. Pickens might not call a two-touchdown quarter a breakthrough, but Steeler Nation will get to celebrate the most complete victory of the 2023 season and allow for a sliver of realistic hope that they can build on the performance. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Did the offense finally give you a reason to believe that 2023 could end with a playoff victory? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X:@thebubbasq. 

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