Week 7’s Pittsburgh Steelers Z-Factor
A team’s outlook on their season can change dramatically week to week in today’s NFL. It was not long ago that people were asking, “What’s wrong with the Pittsburgh Steelers?” Now, Pittsburgh is one win away from being in first place in the AFC after the Kansas City Chiefs suffered their second straight loss in the final seconds of Thursday Night Football to the Oakland Raiders. The Steelers still have their issues to be worked out, and plenty of room to grow, but let yourselves get excited. As if the possibility of being atop the AFC playoff race wasn’t exhilarating enough, it is also Cincinnati Bengals week in Pittsburgh!
The Steelers and Bengals have had a unique rivalry over the years, to put it lightly. Lately, it seems like each game is decided by penalties and whoever can keep their cool the longest wins the game. These contests have also proven to be insanely physical, even dating back to Hines Ward’s playing days. Most fans will remember the vicious hit Ward put on former Bengals linebacker, Keith Rivers; ultimately breaking Rivers’ jaw, and resulting in a change to the NFL rule books to better protect players who cannot keep their head on a swivel. It is that type of nastiness and physicality that’s needed to beat an inner-division rival like the Bengals. What better player to be this week’s Z-Factor than the new-age Hines Ward: JuJu Smith-Schuster?
Juju is the first rookie to wear the Z-Factor title, and he’s well-deserving. The 2017 second round pick has quickly become a fan favorite and it’s easy to see how. Smith-Schuster has a mean, physical, and strong playing style (Pittsburgh to the fullest) not often shown in wide receivers. At the same time, off the field, Juju is a snapchat sensation for his silliness and and youthful spirit. His touchdown celebrations are also incredibly ‘lit’; referencing things like Dragonball Z.
Smith-Schuster has been seeing more snaps than Steelers number two receiver, Martavis Bryant. It becomes hard to take talent off the field when the talent is making plays, regardless of NFL experience. And Juju is making plays.
He has also been making key blocks, which is another reason why he has been getting on the field so much. Juju is, without a doubt, the best blocking receiver that Pittsburgh has. And it’s not even close. The rookie has been flagged a few times for holding and blocks in the back, but I can’t hate him for trying to be aggressive. It’s clear that Juju wants to block, and when he can avoid getting flagged, he is extremely effective.
Last week, Le’Veon Bell ran wild all over the Kansas City defense and I imagine Pittsburgh implementing a heavy dose of the run game against Cincinnati. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” So, if Bell is going to have another heavy workload, downfield blocks are going to be crucial. Enter Smith-Schuster.
Obviously, Smith-Schuster should make an impact catching the ball too, but this is the Z-Factor. We try to look outside of the box, beyond the obvious with this feature article each week.
Bell is likely to be asked to get going early and often in the ground game, wearing down the Bengals defense. The more plays they are forced to play in a row, grinding and trying to shed blocks, the less gas in the Bengals’ tank; more opportunities for the Steelers to exploit on long plays. Defensive linemen with hands on their hips won’t be able to get by David DeCastro or Maurkice Pouncey.
As the game goes on, Bell will start to bust his 13-, 17-, and even longer-yard runs. When ‘Juice’ enters the second-level of the field, it’s on Smith-Schuster and others to make blocks down the field.
Cincinnati linebacker and cheap-shot artist, Vontaze Burfict, will be down the field. I’m sure the rookie receiver has been told plenty about the Bengals’ number 55. I can assume that Smith-Schuster has also been informed to be on the lookout for Burfict, but maybe it’s Vontaze who should be on the lookout. Smith-Schuster will have the opportunity to become even more popular in Pittsburgh if he can knock Burfict into next week.
History could repeat itself. Wouldn’t it be sweet to see Keith Rivers part 2, but starring Burfict and Smith-Schuster (in Ward’s role)? The only outcome I would not wish is for Burfict to be seriously injured. But that doesn’t change the fact that I’d love to see that goon get de-cleated. Smith-Schuster can be the guy to put Vontaze in his place, when the offensive line isn’t doing it; he may just juke him out of those same cleats when he grabs a nice pass as well.
