Pittsburgh Steelers' second-year wide receiver, George Pickens, has endured a lot of criticism entering Week 16. It was well deserved. Pickens lack of effort against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, followed by some ill-advised comments to the media, ignited a firestorm. Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Shannon Sharpe joined Super Bowl champion Ryan Clark with the hammer and nails in the attempted crucifixion of Pickens. The local media speculated that Pickens might be trying to get himself traded.
Associated Press
Steelers George Pickens turns Mason Rudolph's pass into an 86-yard touchdown pass.
Pickens is a highly emotional individual with supreme physical gifts. It is a familiar tune in Pittsburgh. Martavis Bryant and Chase Claypool were incredible physical specimens who could not get out of their own ways. Many members of Steeler Nation wrote off Pickens as just the latest Steelers receiver to hop on the express train to oblivion. Unlike his predecessors, Pickens did something they could not on Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh.
-544x306.jpg "Steelers George Pickens")
Peacock NBC Sports
Steelers George Pickens exploded for 195 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals.
He changed the narrative and reminded every football fan in the country that the Steelers' offensive coaching staff is to blame for not using him correctly. It took the insertion of Mason Rudolph into the lineup to achieve it, but Pickens delivered his finest performance following his lowest moments as a professional. After Pickens delivered his second touchdown, Gary Danielson from NBC Sports summed up the moment perfectly.
“Nobody in this stadium right now gives a flip whether George Pickens blocks on a running play,” Danielson exclaimed.
If anyone should be harboring a grudge against Pickens for his Week 15 performance, it should have been Jaylen Warren. However, after Pickens made his second house call of the game to answer Tee Higgins' 80-yard touchdown, the first person to meet him in the end zone to celebrate was an elated Warren. It was a big moment for a young offense that will hopefully serve as the foundation for something special.
Steelers Insider Mark Kaboly Calls On Mike Tomlin To Discipline George Pickens
Steelers' Head Coach, Mike Tomlin, was strongly encouraged to bench Pickens to send a message to his football team. He flatly refused to do that, and his best playmaker rewarded his faith in him. Pickens had his best game as a professional. After the game, Tomlin was asked about the performance of his temperamental wide receiver.
“Man, he made some splash plays that was needed. His pedigree showed, no doubt,” Tomlin remarked when asked how Pickens responded. “It was appropriate.”
Tomlin's answer was emphatic and brief when it came to Pickens. It wasn't likely that the Steelers' Head Coach would heap praise on him after the previous week, but his brevity might indicate that the fences between them are not entirely mended. Tomlin was asked if the splash play for 80 yards on Pickens' first touchdown energized the offense.
“Big plays eliminate a lot of execution,” Tomlin concluded. “When you can go 80 plus yards and put seven points on the board it helps you in a myriad of ways.”
It is hard to blame Tomlin for not being effusive with his praise for Pickens's efforts on Saturday. Rudolph is the first Steelers quarterback in two seasons that truly gave him the chance to shine. The veteran didn't just target Pickens to appease him with short passes. Rudolph gave him the opportunity to break the game open, and the former Georgia Bulldogs star smashed it into a million pieces.
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Steelers' George Pickens demonstrates incredible body control.
The Steelers' playoff hopes are on life support, but the 34-11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals was an excellent first step. Pickens's reemergence as a game-breaker can reignite the Pittsburgh offense. The defense lost Elandon Roberts to a pectoral injury. The Steelers have very few healthy bodies left in the middle of the defense. If the Steelers are going to make a playoff run, they will have to sweep the last three games on their schedule.
It will be up to the offense to lead the way. Pickens will have to be unstoppable for that to happen. In his final home appearance in 2023, he was just that and reminded Acrisure Stadium how special he could be with a virtuoso performance. Twice more, and the Steelers might get a chance to play in the postseason.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you love how Pickens responded, or are you still down on him? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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