The Pittsburgh Steelers knew they were going to have to score a lot of points to come away with a win in Detroit on Sunday. While their total of 29 wasn’t their highest offensive output of the year, it was just enough to get the job done against a talented Lions team. The defense deserves a lot of credit for its effort throughout the game, notably the goal-line stand to secure the win. But the Steelers certainly don’t win that game without the big plays made by Arthur Smith’s offense.
“You mentioned it a little bit with Arthur Smith, man he was two steps ahead. That second half, or the third quarter, he was two steps ahead,” Steelers insider Mark Kaboly said Monday on 93.7 The Fan. “With some jet sweeps to Jonnu Smith, when you’re definitely thinking it’s going to be a run between the tackles. Sometimes you get into a groove. And I think he found himself in a groove in that third quarter.”
Over the last two weeks, the Steelers have been incredibly impressive in the third quarter. Against the Dolphins, Pittsburgh’s defense gained more yards than it allowed. It did the same against the Lions this week. Detroit’s only drive in the third quarter ended in three plays and a safety. Aside from that, the Steelers’ defense had the other 14 minutes of the quarter to rest.
The Steelers didn’t score offensively in that quarter, but they got about as close as possible to doing so. Pittsburgh converted two third downs, one being a 17-yard gain on 3rd and 10, and got near the goal line on the first drive. Unfortunately, Darnell Washington fumbled on the 3-yard line. After the safety, the Steelers went 17 plays and took the entire final nine minutes off the clock to end the third quarter. They kicked a field goal one minute into the fourth.
Although it didn’t end in a touchdown, that was potentially the best drive Arthur Smith’s offense had all day. The unit was faced with an early 4th and 2, but Aaron Rodgers found Scotty Miller for nine yards. On 3rd and 4 on the next set of downs, Rodgers found Miller again to keep the drive alive.
Then, on 4th and 1 at the 11-yard line, the Steelers ran their fake tush push with Kenneth Gainwell to move the chains again. The drive resulted in a field goal, giving the Steelers a 15-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. That the Steelers managed to keep a dangerous Detroit offense off the field nearly the entire third quarter was a win in itself.
Really, Sunday showed a lot of areas where the Steelers have improved in offensively. For one, the Steelers won the time-of-possession battle, finally showing an ability to put long drives together. Second, they have now been impressive in third quarters for two straight weeks. That’s something they’ve struggled with throughout the season. And finally, Smith’s play calling was much more creative. Calls for Scotty Miller and Adam Thielen, Jonnu Smith jet sweeps and fake tush pushes, his offense had it all.
Few have considered the Steelers real contenders for most of the year. But if the offense plays like it has the last three weeks, this team could be dangerous come playoff time. Arthur Smith certainly deserves his credit for that.
