The Pittsburgh Steelers are now in the playoffs and could potentially play their last game Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. Since the Steelers' four-game skid, there hasn't been much confidence in the team as they head to Baltimore to face their AFC North rival. Pittsburgh only has a 27.8% chance to win, which is the worst percentage out of all the other Wild Card matchups. The Steelers definitely have a better shot than most people think as they've had the Ravens' number in recent seasons and players want to kick their rival out of the playoffs.
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Steelers' Najee Harris runs against the Bengals in a Week 18 matchup during the 2024 regular season.
Pittsburgh's offense has been a main concern for a while now. Fans thought it'd be different with Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith calling the plays, but nothing has immensely improved since the past few seasons. Head Coach Mike Tomlin is known to have a run heavy offense, but that hasn't worked much of late.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have slowly started to split snaps this season and Warren has even outsnapped Harris in some cases. With Harris becoming a free agent after this season, his last game could very well be on Saturday if the Steelers were to lose. Harris realizes that and told reporters Thursday after practice his thoughts on the whole matter.
"Realizing the situation, what it is, you realize what it is," Harris said. "Just go back in the offseason, wherever that is, whatever happens after this season, see what you can work on, see what happens next. This is a business. This is a production business. All you can do… I’ve been put in situations where you just gotta make the best of your opportunity. Wherever that is, it is, and if you said finish the best you can, that’s all you can do. You wanna change stuff? Yeah. Would you want to do better at things? Yeah, but sometimes… you just gotta make the best of it.”
When the Steelers didn't pick up Harris' fifth-year option before this season, there was definitely a chip on his shoulder to prove that the organization didn't make the right decision. That seemed to hold true when Harris got going in Week 6 and rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games. However, after Week 9, Harris didn't reach 100 yards again and averaged about 50 rushing yards per game for the rest of the regular season.
Having a first round pick label on Harris doesn't help his case as he has arguably underperformed for what people were hoping for. Some blame can be put on the play-calling. Harris is a power back and running him on toss plays isn't helping him at all. Other blame can be put on Harris himself. He hasn't had as many big plays like Warren has and he doesn't hit the hole quick enough which has been expressed by many fans and pundits alike.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Najee Harris hurdles over a defender during his rookie season in 2021.
It's hard not to root for Harris to come back to Pittsburgh. Off the field, he's known for his funny personality and is truly a likable guy from what he shows. It'll be rough for another first round draft pick to not work out, but the Steelers do need a roster overhaul in some form if there will be any change next season.
Harris could prove Saturday that the Steelers need him with a huge game, but Warren had more carries and yards than Harris in Week 16's matchup against the Ravens. Wherever Harris ends up, Steeler Nation will wish him the best.
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Steelers' Arthur Smith talking with QB Russell Wilson during practice.
Steelers' Running Game Has Been Predictable All Season
The lack of creativity in offensive drives hasn't helped the run game at all. The Steelers have ran the third most run plays in the NFL this season. Opposing defenses plan for the Steelers to run and when the running game doesn't work, the throwing game doesn't help out much either as there aren't many weapons for Russell Wilson to throw to.
Smith needs to be creative against the Ravens Saturday for this team to have a chance to win. This means opening the playbook like he did against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 where the team scored 44 points altogether. Putting in Justin Fields would also help so the Ravens' defense would have to worry about two quarterbacks. If Smith calls a good game, the Steelers have a very good chance to win.
Do you think the Steelers will resign Harris or will he get picked up by another team? Let us know in the comments!
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