Steelers Quarterback Kenny Pickett's Caution Helps Him Eclipse Ben Roethlisberger Franchise Record In Week 12

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 16-10, in Week 12. If you did not watch the game, you might think the Steelers' offense continued to perform below expectations. Nothing could be further from the truth. Pittsburgh’s offense moved the ball up and down the field on Sunday but had some bad luck in the red zone. The Steelers posted more than 400 yards of offense and ended the dubious streak at 58 games that was the subject of countless social media narratives.

Another streak fell on Sunday. Kenny Pickett has been absolutely ripped in 2023 for his performance at quarterback. Pickett has not been aggressive and has only six touchdown passes through 12 weeks of action. Despite the subpar performance and lack of passing touchdowns, the Steelers quarterback has set a franchise record. He passed Ben Roethlisberger for the franchise record when he completed his 208th consecutive pass without an interception.

Pickett has come under fire recently for an almost bizarre aversion to throwing the ball between the numbers. The Cleveland Browns game in Week 11 was his worst game as a professional, and it was bad enough to get Matt Canada fired. Steeler Nation didn’t know what to expect from the second-year signal caller in Week 12, but turnover-free football seemed likely.

One game into the Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan era, the Steelers found more than 400 yards of total offense and helped Pickett find his tight end, Pat Freiermuth. Pickett protected the football while finding Freiermuth, Diontae Johnson, and George Pickens down the field for chunk plays throughout the contest. He narrowly missed a touchdown pass on a play that Mike Tomlin should have challenged, according to CBS analyst Gene Steratore.

Steelers' Kenny Pickett Draws Comparisons To Ben Roethlisberger Before Being Torched As Afraid Of Throwing In Middle Of Field

Pickett and Roethlisberger could not be more diametrically opposed as players. Roethlisberger was an improvising gunslinger known to make plays up in the huddle. The fact that he threw 207 consecutive passes without an interception at one point in his career is mind-boggling. Pickett is a gym rat and needs structure. His passing chart against the Bengals is cause for optimism. Pickett threw between the numbers and did not turn the ball over. 

The Steelers' offense will not transform into the Kansas City Chiefs with one performance, but Pickett has quality weapons. Pittsburgh has playmakers that, if appropriately managed, can help to score 21-24 points consistently. Faulkner and Sullivan did an outstanding job keeping Pickett on schedule and comfortable. It could have been better, but the Steelers did not constantly face third and long against the Bengals. 

Pickett is steadfast in his approach to a game and sticks to the game plan. He has succeeded in fourth quarters going off-script, but he is far from ready to channel Roethlisberger's no-huddle approach for an entire game. Pickett is much more cautious than his predecessor ever was with the football. Roethlisberger's risk-reward calculations were radically different and not always the best for the team. 

Protecting the football in the NFL is a big deal for any quarterback. If Pickett can continue limiting his interceptions and press the ball down the field like he did today, fans might want him to stick around for a bit longer. Based on this performance, a lot of the Canada was not the problem crowd, have egg on their face. 

One game is not enough sample size to make definitive judgments, but as Chris Carter aptly points out, it is a funny coincidence. Pickett deserves kudos for breaking a significant Roethlisberger streak and coming up huge in a must-win game. Pickett threw for 278 yards and posted his second-highest passer rating of the season without throwing a touchdown pass.

Pickett might have a few bullets to fire of his own. If this continues, he may have a shot at snapping Roethlisberger's four-game losing streak in the AFC playoffs. That would be even more impressive than overcoming Canada as an offensive coordinator. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you impressed with Pickett surpassing Roethlisberger's streak, or are you reserving judgment until you see the second game of Canada-free football? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq. 

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