Former Steelers RB Questions Arthur Smith's Usage Of A Highly Effective Run Scheme In Week 14

The Pittsburgh Steelers bounced back from their Week 12 loss and beat the Cleveland Browns 27-14 in Week 14. The win wasn't the prettiest one they have had all year, and quarterback Russell Wilson's stats weren't mind-blowing. However, after the previous ugly loss, they needed to show they heard Head Coach Mike Tomlin's message about getting better, rather than getting back against the Browns. According to one former Steelers player, the great thing about that win is that they found a way to get it done. 

Panic immediately set in when the news broke that wide receiver George Pickens would be out against the Browns because of a hamstring injury. The Steelers have not been favored with an embarrassment of riches in their receiving room, and all year, the worry has been what will happen if Pickens is out. At least in this game, the answer was that Wilson and his group found a way to get it done.  

One surprising thing was Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith didn't rely on his running backs more than he did. Between the three, Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson, they only had a total of 103 rushing yards; Wilson rushed for another 17, making the total 120. Even more than the lack of run plays, former Steelers running back Merril Hoge was surprised they didn't go back to a play that clearly worked for them. He told Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show on WDVE 102.5 that he was impressed that they found different ways to get the win, but shocked by what he saw with Harris.   

"There was one thing that happened during the game," explained Hoge. "Najee's big run, it was a different blocking scheme. I think they're better at man-blocking schemes than zone-blocking schemes, and he had his biggest run, and they never came back to that run again. I was like, 'Why didn't they come back to that run?' But then that kind of widened my scope to watch the game. When it was done, I just thought they chipped away at some different things offensively and defensively and were able to win, and that actually is a really good thing."

That long run of Harris' was for 20 yards and came early in the game; after that, the run game wasn't very exciting. Hoge said that he knows that play-callers have a lot going on in their heads during the game. Hopefully, Smith will see the effectiveness of that play and will return to it in these final weeks of the season. 

Finding those small things that work is critical, according to Hoge. He said that teams talk about the idea that it might not have been their best game or their prettiest win, but they found the road victory, which is all that matters. 

Steelers' Russell Wilson Can Elevate This Team

Hoge acknowledges that the Steelers have a tough road ahead of them, particularly this stretch of three games in 10 days. Wilson, who led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl win, has the ability to rally this team to finish strong. Hoge said that Wilson is looking more and more comfortable. Hoge also noted that while no one can replace Pickens, Wilson has managed to elevate the play of the offensive players that surround him. 

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger also shared his faith in Wilson. He said recently that he never bought into the negative narrative that was being spun about Wilson when he was forced out of the Denver Broncos. Roethlisberger said that while Wilson might be older than other quarterbacks, he still has the mental ability to put together these wins. In addition to the brain, Roethlisberger also said that he still has the arm strength and accuracy to deliver some excellent passes and can scramble enough to pick up necessary yardage.  

Did you notice a different scheme when Harris had his big run? Click to comment below. 

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