The Pittsburgh Steelers entered their Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers with significant concerns about second-year offensive tackle Broderick Jones. In Week 2, Jones was benched, and rookie Troy Fautanu took over as the starting right tackle. The Steelers attempted to rotate Jones into the third series against the Broncos, but he struggled, picking up three costly penalties in just six plays.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones sit in their lockers before Week 1 against the Falcons.
Jones’ struggles began back in the preseason when he didn't look like himself, possibly due to playing through an arm injury. Despite this, Steelers fans have been quick to label him a bust after just one poor performance. Jones was thrust back into the starting lineup after Fautanu suffered what appears to be a season-ending injury. Now, Jones faces immense pressure to build on his performance against the Chargers and remind fans why he was a first-round pick in 2023.
On Monday, Jones spoke to the media about the victory, crediting the Steelers’ success to wearing down the Chargers' defense. He mentioned that the team could sense the Chargers starting to give up.
"We knew we were gonna have to run the football. They knew we were gonna have to run the football. It was the end of the game, people are tired, so we just tried to lean on them at that time," Jones said. "I could feel it. They just didn't have as much fire as it was at the beginning of the game. At the end of the day, I feel like they got tired, so we were able to run it at the end of the game and eat up the clock."
The Steelers leaned on Najee Harris and Cordarrelle Patterson to close out the game and secure the victory against the Chargers. The offensive line dominated down the stretch, and Jones believes this was largely because the Chargers were being out-physicaled. Outmuscling a team like the Chargers is an encouraging sign, underscoring just how dangerous this Steelers team can be.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Najee Harris running with the football against the Chargers.
NFL games are often won in the trenches, and the Steelers have been excelling there so far. Despite injuries piling up on the offensive line, Jones will need to build on his strong performance in Week 3. Many fans and analysts were pleased with how he played, and it's crucial for Jones to regain his confidence and return to form.
Steelers Clearly Want To Win Games In The Trenches
The Steelers clearly want to emphasize the run game. When they hired Arthur Smith, the goal was to return to a physically dominant style of football. As the league trends back toward the running game, the Steelers have the personnel to establish a powerful ground attack. So far, they’ve rushed 108 times for 392 yards, averaging 3.6 yards per carry with just one rushing touchdown.
There has been some concern about Jaylen Warren who hasn't had a huge workload up until this point. It's clear he's still not at full health and that has impacted Pittsburgh's run game. Mike Tomlin admitted that during the Chargers game he had to pull Warren because of injury. Getting him back to full health is going to be pivotal for Pittsburgh.
Associated Press
Steelers' Justin Fields running with the football during camp while OC Arthur Smith gets hype.
Despite stats not fully capturing their physicality, the Steelers' offense feels imposing, and their success in the win column proves it. The team has mastered wearing down opponents in the trenches, setting the tone with a tough, physical style of play.
With each game, they’ve built momentum, and their ability to control the line of scrimmage remains a key factor in their winning streak. As the season progresses, the Steelers aim to continue dominating in the trenches, imposing their will on opponents and extending their streak further into the season.
#SteelerNation
