“Bleav in Steelers” hosts Ike Taylor and Mark Bergin discuss the emergence of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ running game in back-to-back weeks.
The Steelers ran for a season-high 205 yards during Sunday’s win against the Green Bay Packers. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren each had a touchdown too. Harris had 96 total yards and Warren had 110 total yards.
Sunday also marked the second time the Steelers won time of possession.
Bergin defends second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett from the criticism he’s received. He asks which other quarterback the Steelers could have acquired that would have been an upgrade over Pickett after Ben Roethlisberger retired.
Pickett has the NFL’s longest active streak without throwing an interception. Also, the Steelers are tied for first in the NFL in turnover ratio (+10) and tied for first in the NFL in defensive takeaways (18).
The Steelers have won close games by protecting the ball and taking the ball away. While Pickett’s play hasn’t been what you’d expect from a first-round pick, he’s still playing on a rookie contract and should continue to improve.
The guys also discuss the bend-but-don’t-break defense. It included Keanu Neal’s interception off a tipped pass by Patrick Peterson. On Sunday, Peterson also blocked an extra point, which forced the Packers to try for a touchdown instead of a game-tying field goal.
Damontae Kazee had the clinching interception thanks to Minkah Fitzpatrick voicing which coverage the Steelers should run.
The guys discuss the Steelers’ Week 11 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns starting offensive tackles are injured. It includes Jedrick Wills Jr., Jack Conklin and Dawand Jones. The injuries provide an advantage to the Steelers’ edge rushers led by T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
Deshaun Watson rebounded after a 6 for 20 start in the first half to complete all 14 of his passes in the Browns’ comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Last, Ike talks about his trip to the University of Wisconsin-Madison with his son, Ivan. Also, Mark discusses running the City of Oaks Marathon in Raleigh, North Carolina.