The Pittsburgh Steelers offense struggled up until the fourth quarter in last Sunday’s 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Pittsburgh put up two fourth-quarter touchdowns, and both of those were sparked by WRs Diontae Johnson and WR George Pickens. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Johnson caught the pass and ran for a 39-yard reception off a whip route. Two plays later, RB Jaylen Warren capped the drive with a 13-yard rushing touchdown.
On Pittsburgh’s next drive, Pickens had an 18-yard reception (most of which was wiped out due to penalty) but then followed it up with a 21-yard catch that helped the Steelers move into Rams territory and spark their second scoring drive of the quarter. Speaking to the media today, Johnson talked about he and Pickens feeding off each other to spark the team.
“We play off one another, like I always say,” Johnson said Thursday via Jeff Hathhorn of 93.7 The Fan. “He make a play. I make a play. It’s like our little thing.”
Johnson also said he thinks the two of them help get everybody on the offense going.
“Once both of us are making plays, then everybody else starts making plays. You saw the offense got that spark we need.”
The run game did pick up after Pickens and Johnson made big plays. It comes down to having in confidence in what the offense is doing and what it can accomplish and seeing some tangible success. It brings down the whole unit when the offense is struggling, but when they’re having success, things can start to click across the board.
It starts at quarterback, and Kenny Pickett, for as good as he’s been in the fourth quarter, has to start showing he can at least be adequate throughout the first three quarters. The run game also needs to improve, which falls on both the offensive line and the running backs. The running backs themselves have to be more decisive when it comes to hitting holes, while the line has to ensure that those holes are open and blocked up so Warren or RB Najee Harris aren’t being mobbed as soon as they touch the ball.
But positive plays can bring momentum, and momentum brings a mindset change that’s seemed to make the Steelers much better across the board. More guys need to step up and consistently make plays, but Johnson is right that he and Pickens certainly did provide a spark on Sunday.
