Sep 28, 2024 5 min read

By Dale Lolley

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

Three wins in three games.

That’s what the Steelers have thus far, limiting their opponents to only 26 points, with none topping 10 in a game against Pittsburgh’s defense.

The Steelers are allowing 8.7 points per game, best in the NFL, and just 229.7 yards per game, also the best in the NFL.

Opponents are converting a third down into a first down just 21.9 percent of the time.

The defense has been dominant, especially in the second half of games, when the Steelers have given up only two field goals over six quarters.

Last week, in a 20-10 win over the Chargers, the Steelers stuffed Los Angeles to the tune of minus-5 yards over the final 30 minutes.

You’ll win a lot of football games doing things such as that.

And the offense began to show some signs of life. Though the Steelers scored just 20 points and have three touchdowns in three games, they finished off their win last week taking a knee at the Los Angeles one-yard line.

They could have easily punched the ball in from there, choosing instead to take a knee to run out the remainder of the clock.

Perhaps now, people will start to believe that this just might be a good football team.

When you play defense the way the Steelers are, and run the ball effectively, you’re a tough team to play. The Steelers lead the NFL in usage of three- and four-tight-end alignments. They’re not afraid to flood the field with a bunch of big bodies and shout to the world that they’re going to run the ball.

It’s been effective, if not high-scoring.

The key has been not taking negative runs. Though the Steelers are averaging 2.8 yards per first-down rushing attempt – largely into loaded boxes – they’re not having runs go for negative yardage. And that’s allowing them to run the ball again on second down, when they’ve averaged a more robust 4.7 yards per attempt, which leads to plenty of third-and-manageable situations.

“The key is to not absorb negativity where you’re behind the chains where it affects the next down,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “You better maintain your commitment to it and the effort to win the war of attrition.

“You’re not always going to have efficient runs early on, particularly when you’re playing good people. They’ve got scholarships, too, as we say in this business.”

And oftentimes, if you keep pounding away at a rock with a sledgehammer, it will eventually break.

That was the case against the Chargers, when the Steelers ran for 80 yards in the fourth quarter after gaining only 39 yards on the ground in the first three.

• The Steelers have started 3-0 10 times in their history. They’ve made the playoffs in nine of those seasons, with the one miss coming in 1936.

How long ago was that? So long that the NFL consisted of nine teams, only two of which made the playoffs. And so long ago that it was the first year the NFL held a draft of college players.

• Much has been made this week of the Pirates releasing Rowdy Tellez four at-bats short of reaching a $200,000 bonus.

I don’t blame them, though.

If Tellez had played better earlier in the season, he would have gotten more at-bats. And perhaps if that had happened, the Pirates wouldn’t be simply playing out the string on another losing season.

This week’s games

Steelers (minus 1½) at Colts: It’s hard to imagine the Colts mounting consistent scoring drives against the Steelers. In seven career games, Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson completes less than 55 percent of his passes, including 49.3 percent this season. He’s got a big arm, but if you don’t allow the big play, then the Colts aren’t going to consistently move the ball. Oh, and the Colts are 31st in rushing yards allowed. They also have a myriad of key injuries. Take the Steelers, 24-10.

Bengals (minus 4½) at Panthers: An Andy Dalton revenge game. Dalton lit up the Raiders last week in Las Vegas in his first start for the Panthers. But can he do it against his former team? Can the Panthers slow the Cincinnati offense? It’s desperation time for the 0-3 Bengals. Take Cincinnati, 27-19.

Browns (plus 1) at Raiders: This is how bad things are for the Browns. They’re 1-point underdogs to the Raiders, who just lost to the winless Panthers at home. But Cleveland lost at home to the Giants, allowing eight sacks. Deshaun Watson, meet Maxx Crosby. Take the Raiders, 17-14.

Bills (plus 2½) at Ravens: The Ravens saved their season last weekend, barely holding on to a big lead against the Cowboys. But the pass defense is still a problem, and the Bills won’t yield rushing yards like Dallas, which is allowing 185 per game. Not an easy one for the Bills on the road. If the game were in Buffalo, the pick would be different. But it’s not. Take the Ravens, 27-24.

Jaguars (plus 7) at Texans: The Jaguars were supposed to challenge for the AFC South title. Both teams were embarrassed last week, Jacksonville by Buffalo, the Texans by the Vikings. Houston is simply playing better football right now. Take the Texans, 30-13.

Last Week: 2-3 ATS, 2-3 straight up

Overall: 7-8 ATS; 8-7 straight up

Dale Lolley hosts The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio and writes a Sunday column for the Observer-Reporter.