The Pittsburgh Steelers were finally able to break their longest losing streak of the 2023 NFL season by beating the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 by a score of 34-11. It was the complete opposite of the Week 15 disaster against the Indianapolis Colts. The Steelers were playing strong in all three phases of the game. The defense played well despite being riddled with injuries, the offense looked good with a third-string quarterback, and even Pressley Harvin III even had a punt downed inside the 10-yard line. It was a complete team victory, which Jaylen Warren preached the importance of.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Jaylen Warren in a 2023 game against the Cincinnati Bengals
Steelers' Warren Discusses His Crucial Block
The Steelers got off to a hot start, as Mason Rudolph found George Pickens for a 86-yard touchdown on the Steelers second play from scrimmage. They didn't take their foot off the gas either, as the offense scored again on their second drive of the game.
This time, it came on a run from Calvin Austin III, who was able to score just his second touchdown of the season. One of the main reasons Austin was able to get into the end zone was because of Warren's bone-crushing block, which the running back was really happy about following the game.
"If anything, I will remember that play more than a run. I love plays like that where I can help the team. Calvin scored and that means a lot. Seeing him score after that, I'm glad I did my job, My 1/11th to see him succeed."
This was just Austin's second touchdown of his NFL career, and it was a big one as it came against a rival in a situation where both teams were fighting for their postseason lives. Warren received a ton of love for the play from various media personalities, and even from some current players. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen quote-tweeted the video of the play with a bunch of laughing emojis, as he clearly found it amusing to see Warren block a linebacker out of his cleats.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Jaylen Warren runs the ball against the Bengals
Of course, this spectacular play by Warren comes at a weird time for the Steelers. Last week, following the loss to the Colts, there were a lot of dramatics surrounding a play where Warren could have scored had Pickens finished the play and kept blocking.
Instead, the defender Pickens was responsible for blocking was able to make a play and tackle Warren to prevent the touchdown. Pickens then made the excuse that he didn't want to get hurt on the play which is why he stopped blocking, and Warren came out stating that he would have blocked for Pickens in that situation.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren put on another show in their 2023 Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns
Warren and Pickens met in private during the week to discuss the situation they were each going through, and they decided there was clearly no beef and they were fine. This showed as both players played a great game. Pickens finished the victory in Week 16 with four receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns, and Warren had five receptions for 30 yards to go with 24 yards rushing and a crucial block. Warren didn't have his best game on the ground, yet, what makes him so special is that he can affect the game in many ways.
Pickens and Warren are each having great seasons. Pickens has five touchdowns on the year and he just surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in 2023 for the first time in his career. He has had his critical moments off of the field, but his talent and skill level is unmatched. Warren has nearly 700 rushing yards in 2023 to go with three touchdowns, and he has also caught 52 balls this season for 330 yards which has led to 17 first downs for the Steelers.
Everything seems to be just fine in the Steelers locker room despite all the drama as of late, and both players performed well in the victory. What did you think about Warren's comments regarding his impressive block that led to the touchdown?
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