Week 15 Takeaways: Steelers control ground, trenches in win over Carolina Panthers
The biggest comment thread put out into the universe via social media ahead of the Week 15 meeting at Bank of America Stadium between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers was that the Steelers should just “tank” the remainder of the season. I’ve never been fond of that type of ideology; to purposely put players on the field to give games away shows a lack of respect for the organization, the players, the opposing players (and their organization), and fans who support the team regardless of their win-loss record.
Lest I digress into a soapbox on professional sports etiquette – and really go on an undesirable rant – the Steelers had no intention of throwing in the towel in their latest contest of the 2022 NFL regular season, thankfully. Instead, Pittsburgh played a physical 60 minutes where they controlled the battles in the trenches and the ground game while winning time of possession to earn a 24-16 win over the Panthers and move to 6-8 on the season.
Ahead of the game, it was well noted that the Panthers were not nearly as successful in the passing game, offensively, as they were on the ground. Steelers players, like Cameron Heyward, had spoken to the fact that the Pittsburgh defense was going to enter the game ready to prevent big run plays from their opponents. And experts around the league anticipated that Pittsburgh wouldn’t be able to hold up after being gashed in the ground game for 333 yards in their last two games (Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens).
The Steelers allowed just 21 yards of rushing offense on 16 carries. It was quite a statement.
“When we’re able to make a team one-dimensional, we’re going to have a lot more success. If you can get them out of what they want to do, it allows you to play more free and do a lot more things.” – Cam Heyward
As mentioned in our pre-game scouting report, the Panthers were ready to use their “Arby’s” scheme of inserting up to eight men along the offensive line to open the run lanes for D’Onta Foreman. After seeing it on tape and preparing for it, the Steelers used a four-man defensive line on several occasions, utilizing T.J. Watt as an off-ball linebacker and adjusting with other personnel – like DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk – as needed, in order to level the playing field – literally.
“We knew we needed to stop the run because they were a team that the past couple of weeks have proven to be a good run team. We just tried to get back to playing our style of football. I was just happy with the way it played out.” – Tyson Alualu
Our run defense opening up: https://t.co/qWWIfiQmCP pic.twitter.com/zrHEJZTScu
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 18, 2022
There may be a little bit of humble pie being eaten on “Victory Monday” by Steelers fans – including myself – who aren’t big fans of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. After a disastrous showing in Week 14, after he’d been unimpressive early in the season, there was an unsettled feeling across Steelers Nation once head coach Mike Tomlin made it evident that it would not be Mason Rudolph starting in place of the injured Kenny Pickett. All-in-all, though, Trubisky had a bit of redemption on Sunday.
As anticipated, the tight ends were utilized heavily in this game, but the offensive line also played a stellar game in the trenches and gave Trubisky time to execute the game plan. Where Trubisky really shined was in playing without making mistakes and converting six-of-eight third downs. He was better at making reads and found Diontae Johnson on five-of-five third-down targets, allowing Johnson to turn them into needed first downs on ten receptions for 98 yards.
On the day, Trubisky completed 17-of-22 passes for 179 yards and wasn’t adverse to using his feet when needed. Trubisky had six carries in the game, including a burst into the end zone for a touchdown.
Mitch Trubisky on the win over the Panthers: pic.twitter.com/kYQl0IlhKP
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 18, 2022
Pittsburgh was able to get their ground game going again this weekend, as well. Both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren were able to grab rushing touchdowns in the game. Harris finished the day with 86 yards on 24 carries. Warren finished with 38 yards on 11 carries; he added one catch for 11 yards on the day as well.
Although they were hard-earned yards, they allowed the Steelers’ offense to open up the Panthers’ defense and control the time of possession, especially an outstanding drive that lasted 21 plays and 91 yards in the third quarter.
The Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive with the win, albeit with a small margin left open to them. They’ll hope to carry momentum from this game forward into their Christmas Eve game against the Las Vegas Raiders where they’ll commemorate the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception” at Acrisure Stadium.
