The Pittsburgh Steelers are still in the playoff hunt after their impressive Week 17 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Many players performed well, but Steelers running back, Najee Harris was the man who helped propel the team to the win. Whether it was in the rush attack or catching passes, Harris did whatever it took to get the job done.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris carries the football during an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Cincinnati. | (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Steelers Running Back Shining As Of Late
At the beginning of the season, the Steelers run game was so atrocious that it may as well have been nonexistent. Fans took to social media to ridicule the offense with Harris being the primary recipient of the insults. Eventually, it led to many labeling Harris as a “bust” due to his poor performances and lack of overall production. Recently, things have improved for Harris and the Steelers as a whole have benefited greatly from it.
The game against Baltimore was a prime example of how much better Harris has been since early 2022. Harris led the Steelers in rushing yards with 111 in total on 22 carries, recording his first 100-yard rushing game of the season. While he did break out multiple times for good gains of yardage, there’s one play that stuck out to me and probably other Steelers fans as well.
The play was a third and short situation with the Steelers being deep in Baltimore territory. Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin opted to give Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett the ball on a quarterback keeper in order to convert and pick up the first down. Initially, Pickett was stopped at the line of scrimmage, and it looked as though the Ravens had held their ground. Harris had other ideas as he physically picked Pickett up and carried him across the pile. Without the surge of pure power from Harris, Pickett most likely wouldn’t have gained enough yardage for a conversion. It would mean the game’s end result could’ve been much different.
"This rivalry, that's what it's going to be like," Harris said postgame. "When we control the line of scrimmage, we win the game. That's just plain and simple. That's what Mike [Tomlin] challenged us... challenged me: get downhill and run on them."
Harris also made his presence known in the passing game as he caught two passes, one of which was the game-sealing touchdown.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett throws to RB Najee Harris at Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, January 1st, 2023. Photo Credit - Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
It shows that Harris can be a dual threat on offense, being just as effective as a receiver as he is pounding the rock on the ground. After the game, Coach Tomlin praised Harris for being a leader and not shying away from difficult situations:
"Najee wants it," Tomlin said postgame. "He wants to be the focal point. He likes the tough circumstances. It’s just good to have young people that are running to it as opposed to from it. And we got some young people that run to the action. And that’s a good thing."
Harris Reflects On Steelers Season So Far
2022 has been one of the most interesting seasons the Steelers have had in many years. From starting the season at 2-6 to bouncing back to an 8-8 record with the potential for a postseason berth, the players in the Steelers locker room have been through quite the ordeal. Yet it’s through this emotional roller coaster that the Steelers have been subjected to that those lessons are learned, and players begin to grow and develop. Harris discussed this in his most recent interview:
"You learn a lot through the bad stuff.” Harris said. “I can sit here and say that I wish I started off the season how I'm finishing it. I'm actually happy with how the season's been going. We learned a lot about each other. We learned a lot about sticking together. We learned a lot about changing around stuff. I feel like when any other type of adversity comes towards our way, we know how to handle it, because we've been there."
The Steelers will look to continue overcoming adversity as they host the Cleveland Browns in Week 18 where a win will at the very least give them a winning record, but will also aid them in their pursuit for a playoff spot.
What’s your opinion on Najee Harris’s performance lately? Be sure to tell us in the comment section below.
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