Bell on offense: Pick your poison
PITTSBURGH – Pick your poison.
That’s the Steelers’ feeling about their offense as they head into the regular-season finale Sunday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Since rushing for 185 yards in a 42-21 victory at Cincinnati earlier this month, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell has been limited to 47 and 63 yards in wins against Atlanta and Kansas City. The Falcons and Chiefs each made a point of slowing Pittsburgh’s rushing attack.
That, however, has opened things up for tight end Heath Miller in the middle of the field in the passing game. Miller has 68 receiving yards in each of the last two games.
“The running game helps. When you’re able to fake a handoff to Le’Veon, they’re going to honor it,” said Miller, who had only one catch for a one-yard touchdown when Bell had his big rushing day against Cincinnati.
Many players would be frustrated by the added attention. Bell, however, is nonplussed.
“I wouldn’t say (it’s) frustrating,” said Bell. “Teams are obviously trying to slow down the run a little bit, but they can’t stop the pass when they do that. Pick your poison.”
The Steelers (10-5) expect the Bengals (10-4-1) to be focused on stopping Bell, who leads the AFC in rushing and has a team-record 2,115 yards from scrimmage, only 25 behind NFL leader DeMarco Murray of Dallas. The Steelers believe the Bengals won’t completely step out of character and put nine players at the line of scrimmage in an effort to stop the run.
The 193 rushing yards Cincinnati gave up to Pittsburgh are an anomaly for the Bengals. It’s the only time in the past five games Cincinnati has allowed 100 rushing yards. In the other four games – all wins – the Bengals allowed an average of just under 70 yards.
“They’re a good defense,” said Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley. “One of the things that makes them good is they do what they do. I can’t see them doing a lot differently. We’re going to have to execute at a high level , make plays and get the ball in the end zone.”
With Antonio Brown, who leads the NFL in both receptions and receiving yards, Bell, Miller, Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant, the Steelers are the only team in the NFL with five players with 500 or more receiving yards.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is second in the NFL with 4,635 yards, 36 behind leader Drew Brees of New Orleans.
“If they load up to stop the run, then we have other guys who can make them pay,” Brown said.
Bell has hurt many opponents in the passing game. He’s second on the team behind Brown in receptions with 77 for 774 yards – both are records for a Steelers running back.
But Kansas City made sure Bell was covered when he slipped out of the backfield. He had a season-low one reception for nine yards.
“They had a little safety on me the whole game,” Bell said.
Whatever Cincinnati chooses to do, Bell is fine with it – if the Steelers win.
“I am not a player who needs 25 touches or needs 150 yards to be happy,” Bell said. “I will be happy with a win. I don’t care if I have nine carries for 19 yards or whatever it may be. I am always happy when we win. I could run for 200 yards and we lose, then I will feel terrible, because the 200 yards weren’t enough.”
Brown can become the first Steelers receiver to lead the NFL in receptions and/or receiving yardage. … The Steelers will have a “Thank You Fans” tribute Sunday, providing fans with gifts before and during the game. Prizes will include a 55-inch television, Bose headphones, gift cards and an assortment of Steelers memorabilia. … Wide receiver A.J. Green (arm) and quarterback Andy Dalton (illness) were among the Cincinnati players who did not practice Wednesday.