Nov 3, 2023 By Dale Lolley for The Observer-Reporter newsroom@observer-Reporter.Com 4 min read

The Steelers put together an offensive performance Thursday night that looked like what they did in the second half of the 2022 season, rushing for a season-high 166 yards in a 20-16 win over Tennessee.

Was it because offensive coordinator Matt Canada was on the sideline instead of coaching in the booth? Was it because the team inserted rookie Broderick Jones, its first-round draft pick, into the starting lineup at right tackle? Was it because the offensive stayed on the field more regularly, converting 6 of 12 third downs?

Maybe it was all of the above.

What was more important was the Steelers averaged 5.4 yards per play on first down.

When you’re facing second-and-5 or less on average, you can stick with the running game. And when you can do that, you stay on the field and sustain offense.

“When you are converting third downs, you get more snap opportunities, and that usually leads to the attrition component of play, and that’s representative of the run game,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

It was a winning formula for the Steelers in the second half of last season, when they averaged 146.2 rushing yards per game while converting 54 percent of their third downs.

But it also was a formula they hadn’t been able to carry into this season. The Steelers had averaged less than half of that rushing total in their first seven games.

Perhaps they’ve regained that running mentality. If so, it’s just in time. The Steelers are 5-3 this year and 12-5 in their past 17 games.

When they run the ball and utilize their opportunistic defense, the Steelers are tough to beat.

n Diontae Johnson went 119 catches and 655 days without catching a touchdown pass. But he picked a good time to break that streak, hauling in a fourth-quarter score from Kenny Pickett that put the Steelers ahead for good against the Titans.

But it’s not as if Johnson isn’t a touchdown producer. In his first three seasons, he scored 20 touchdowns before being shut out last year.

n Not only did the Steelers make the move of inserting Jones into the starting lineup at right tackle in place of Chuks Okorafor, they also made a big move with cornerback Joey Porter.

Porter moved into the starting lineup last Sunday against Jacksonville. Thursday night, he was used often in one-on-one situations with Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Hopkins had four receptions for 60 yards, but they came on 11 targets. And he didn’t have a catch in the second half.

“I asked Coach T to give me that work on Tuesday,” Porter said. “He was a little hesitant because I’m a rookie. But he let me do it. I’m happy he let me do that and trusted me.

“He just had to warm up to it. I’m glad he did.”

n Regardless of what happens with the other teams in the AFC North this weekend, the Steelers held serve and are just one game behind Baltimore in the standings.

This week’s games

Seahawks (plus 6) at Ravens: Lamar Jackson is 17-1 in his career against NFC teams. Why? Because you don’t really know how elusive he is until you face him on the field on a regular basis. The Seahawks have allowed 12.5 points per game in their past four, so they could keep this close. Take the Seahawks to cover in a 23-20 loss.

Cardinals (plus 8) at Browns: Are the Browns really good enough to be giving any team eight points? Even if Deshaun Watson comes back, that’s unlikely. The Cardinals haven’t won much, but they have been competitive and could get Kyler Murray back. But it also might be Clayton Tune. I don’t love it either way, but since we pick all the AFC North games here, we’ll take a shot. Take the Browns, 17-6.

Bills (plus 2) at Bengals: The Bengals seem to have turned things around with Joe Burrow getting healthy. The Bills, meanwhile, have been scuffling, going 2-2 in their past four. Both teams need a win to stay in the mix. We’ll go with the home team. Take the Bengals, 27-24.

Colts (minus 2½) at Panthers: The Panthers the last team to get a victory. Chances are, they won’t make it two in a row. The Colts have been competitive each week. Take the Colts, 24-17.

Giants (plus 1½) at Raiders: The Giants can’t protect the quarterback. Last week they threw for 7 (!!!!) yards in a 13-10 overtime loss to the Jets. The Raiders’ defense isn’t great, but coaching changes tend to get teams to focus and Las Vegas just made one. Take the Raiders, 20-13.

Last Week: 3-1-1 ATS; 3-2 straight up

Overall: 21-17-2 ATS; 24-16 straight up