This Pittsburgh Steelers team has been dealing with the ups and downs of a 16-game season better than most expected. Key departures and injuries have forced this team to branch out and get help from young, hungry players. Two players who comprise the Steelers youth that have been crucial to their status as a playoff contender are Benny Snell and James Washington.
Pittsburgh Steelers Youth Shines: Benny Snell and James Washington
Benny Snell
James Conner was clearly meant to start this entire season for the Steelers. A nagging AC joint injury thrust rookie Benny Snell in to the starting lineup. Snell was drafted out of Kentucky to provide depth, punishment, and a game finishing run style for the Steelers. The rookie has proved capable of having short-yardage success. Snell came back off of a month break after meniscus surgery against the Cincinnati Bengals to get 21 carries for 98 yards. Snell seems to be a train that cannot be stopped when he is healthy.
The Steelers have lost every game where they were dominated in time of possession. Consistent rushes from Snell in the last few games have flipped that narrative. In three of the last four games Snell has played, he has received 15 or more carries. Each of those games ended with a Steelers victory. Snell is crucial to keeping opposing teams off of the field. He is showing similarities to the Jerome Bettis days in Pittsburgh. Snell should keep being fed upon the return of James Conner if they wish to continue their success in short yardage.
The Arizona Cardinals offense has the ability to put up points in bunches if you give them the ball. Exploiting the Cardinals league-worst defense by letting Benny Snell dig in and keep the ball out of Kyler Murray‘s hands late in the game is going to be a top priority on Sunday afternoon.
James Washington
Immediate production is always an expectation for Steelers wide receivers once they are drafted. James Washington, drafted in the second round, struggled with those expectations his rookie year sitting behind Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. In 2019, Randy Fichtner’s offense has been craving a second receiver to help make opponents respect his air attack. Thankfully, Washington is emerging right when the team needs him the most.
Washington has 30 catches for 578 yards with a 19.5 yard per catch average on the season. The most important part about these stats are his numbers over the last five games. Racking up 20 catches for 417 yards and three touchdowns. Each of these touchdowns are coming at crucial points in the game for an offense that struggles to score. Washington had four catches for more than 30 yards against the Cleveland Browns. Those chunk plays coming just a week after his 79-yard touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals to help bring the Steelers back to win.
The Arizona Cardinals defense presents a nice matchup for James Washington. The Cardinals rank last in the league in pass defense at 307 yards per game. Last in completion percentage at 71 percent of opponents passes completed. Also, last in passer rating at 113.5 and touchdowns at 31. Bearing the potential to be his best game, expect Washington to be targeted downfield often on Sunday.
