The Pittsburgh Steelers offense, led by rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett, continues to show improvements. That was on full display on Monday Night Football, as the offense helped the team pick up its fourth win of the season in a 24-17 victory. The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the better defenses in football in 2022, shutting down the likes of the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs offenses.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
That made the Steelers' offensive performance that much more impressive. It started in the running game, where they racked up 172 rushing yards on the night. While Najee Harris left the game with an abdominal injury, he was actually the least effective back. Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr. got their first chances of the season, and they did quite well with Jaylen Warren out of the lineup.
It helped Pickett in the passing game quite a bit, particularly on the offense's game-winning 11-play, 75-yard drive. It was just the drive the group needed, as they were down one in the fourth quarter. On the game-winning touchdown, Snell snuck into the end zone to put them up five points. Pickett actually called the play, as he had this to say after the game:
"Coach [Tomlin] puts a lot of confidence in myself. [He] asks me what I like, what I don't like," Pickett said after the game. "I feel like that play, just [from] watching tape all week, [it's a] simple play, but something I felt like other teams weren't doing that I think if we had gave it a shot, would've been successful. I felt real confident with that play and real happy we got in the end zone."
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
The touchdown seemed quite simple, as Pickett handed it off to Snell in shotgun. There were four guys lined up out wide, two to each side. Pickett wasn't worried about his own stats or keeping the ball in his own hands, but rather the best choice for his team reaching the end zone. The Steelers defense was then able to hold the Colts down the stretch, as the black and gold are now 4-7 entering Week 13.
Starting center, Mason Cole echoed the same sentiment after the game, the fact that Pickett called the game-winning play. A veteran in this league, the center has been a bright spot for this team in 2022. He's been arguably the most consistent lineman, along with James Daniels. Cole spoke on Pickett's continued growth in his rookie season via Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith:
"Kenny called it [the final play]. We were in the timeout and Kenny said, 'I want to run this.' To see that confidence, on third-and-2 on the goal line, is big," Cole said via PFT. "It's good to see. It really showed who he is as a leader, the command he has on the field."
It's not necessarily the play that Pickett picked out, as it was nothing overly exotic. As Cole states, it's the leadership from the 24-year-old rookie that is so encouraging. Pickett continues to grow on a weekly basis, something that can help fans look forward to the 2023 season. Sitting at 4-7, the team would likely have to win its remaining six games in order for a shot at the postseason.
What were your thoughts on Pickett's performance in the MNF victory? Do you think he's growing at an encouraging rate? Can he be the franchise guy for the Steelers for the long-term? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites, yinz!
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