The Pittsburgh Steelers were looking for a change to try to spark the sputtering offense in their Week 9 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The team made two big changes in the short week. First, rookie tackle Broderick Jones made his first career start at right tackle and second, Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada was moved from the booth to calling plays on the sidelines. Head Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed during his weekly press conference on Tuesday that when the team hosts the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, that Canada will remain on field level.
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Steelers Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada stares into the distance prior to a 2022 regular season game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Tomlin said the team is always looking for ways to improve and having Canada move to be with the players was something he thought could be a positive change. He said the reasoning behind the decision was irrelevant, but talked about what he felt the move did for the team.
"We're willing to do whatever is required to progress in all three phases," Tomlin said. "We make changes week in and week out. Obviously because of his location, that was a more obvious change. I thought it aided in communication. Coach to player is one thing, but the give and take in the face to face component could add a little value to our cause."
The Steelers offense got off to its best start in a long time. Tomlin said the team has been working on trying to start faster, which was why they elected to take the ball and hopefully set the tone to begin the game. The team drove the ball down the field 72 yards with Kenny Pickett completing some key third downs to Allen Robinson II and Diontae Johnson to keep the drive rolling. It was capped off with Najee Harris plunging the ball in from 10 yards out to score.
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Steelers running back Najee Harris was gifted a wide open lane to score a touchdown thanks to rookie tackle Broderick Jones and guard Isaac Seumalo.
While the rest of the game didn't go as swimmingly on offense as the opening drive, Pittsburgh was able to make some tangible progress while getting enough when they needed to secure the victory. The team threw a very balanced attack at the Titans defense rushing for a season high 166 yards while throwing for 160. Harris ran the ball 16 times for 69 yards and the score. His 4.3 yards per attempt tied a season high (against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2) and was a nice rebound from the previous week when the Jacksonville Jaguars vaunted front held him to an average of 1.9 yards a carry. Jaylen Warren was also a significant contributor with 11 rushes for 88 yards to lead the game in rushing.
Pittsburgh's passing offense was again limited as Pickett worked through some struggles with accuracy and missed some big plays including potential touchdowns. Near the end of the third quarter, Pittsburgh thought they had a touchdown when Pickett found George Pickens for a 12-yard score, but replay review showed that the second-year pass catcher didn't get his second foot in bounds. It was a frustrating week for the former Georgia Bulldog who finished with minus one-yard on two receptions from five targets. His teammates, like veteran Robinson, are trying to help him through a little rough patch of games.
The passing attack wasn't spectacular by any means, but when Pittsburgh needed a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, Pickett was able to make a perfect throw to a wide open Johnson in the end zone from three yards out.
Steelers' Canada Moving To The Sidelines Got Rave Reviews
Tomlin wouldn't offer much in terms of his own review of the change to move Canada to the sidelines for the first time in his play-calling career, other than the comment he made about it improving communication. He did however say that he was getting positive feedback from the players on the decision to have Canada on the sideline.
Matt Freed / AP Photo
Steelers OC Matt Canada called plays from the sideline for the first time on Thursday night.
Having more voices involved in the game plan and Canada able to communicate with multiple position groups instead of just the quarterback worked well. So, the team is sticking with it. Now, can this offense manage to hit 30 points? Maybe that's still a dream, but wins are wins and if Pittsburgh can keep stacking them, a playoff berth might not be out reach.
What did you think of the decision to move Canada to the sidelines? Comment below!
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