Despite being 8-3 and in third place in the AFC, it feels like the Pittsburgh Steelers need to do some soul-searching following their disappointing Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. After their 8-2 start, Pittsburgh still isn’t a lock to make the playoffs given the extreme difficulty of their remaining schedule. The Steelers need to turn it around in Week 13 with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals, and better utilizing these three players would be a productive first step.
Three Steelers in Need of Bigger Roles in Week 13 and Beyond
WR Mike Williams
Pittsburgh acquired Mike Williams at the trade deadline, and the move immediately paid dividends with his game-winning touchdown reception against the Washington Commanders. In the two games since then, though, Williams has barely been featured in the Steelers offense. It’s a puzzling move, considering Russell Wilson’s efficiency in the deep passing game. Williams’ biggest (maybe even only) strength is as a deep threat. The Steelers can get more out of him, starting in Week 13 against a lackluster Bengals pass defense.
Maybe the Steelers just need Williams to get more acclimated in their offense. If so, the long rest following a Thursday night game presents the perfect opportunity to bring him fully up to speed. There is simply no reason for Williams’ role not to expand. He can take snaps from Van Jefferson, who has been extremely underwhelming this year. It’s not a great trio, but George Pickens, Williams, and Calvin Austin III is a group that can be productive.
RB Jaylen Warren
Jaylen Warren had a very disappointing start to his 2024 season, thanks in large part to injuries. Since he has returned to full health, Warren has been back to his usual, well-rounded self. Najee Harris briefly caught fire but has since come back down to earth. Warren, on the other hand, has kept getting better; he has averaged more yards per touch than Harris in each of Pittsburgh’s last three games. His contributions in pass protection don’t go unnoticed, either.
Harris was the bell-cow running back for the first half of the season, but it’s time for Pittsburgh to return to a running back by committee approach. The Steelers need to do so starting in Week 13 and never look back. They are just a more efficient offensive team when Warren sees an expanded role. He’s much better than Harris in the passing game, both as a receiver and a blocker. And even in the running game, his quickness adds a wrinkle that Harris just can’t provide.
TE Darnell Washington
All three Steelers who need a bigger role come on the offensive side of the ball. That shouldn’t be a surprise, considering their defense has been an elite unit while their offense has been below average. At 6’7″, 270 pounds, Darnell Washington should provide serious assistance to Pittsburgh in one area they desperately need it: the red zone.
While their offense has been slightly better overall since Russell Wilson took over for Justin Fields, the Steelers have been worse in the red zone with Wilson under center. The only two teams in the NFL who convert fewer red zone trips into touchdowns than Pittsburgh are the New England Patriots and New York Giants. That’s not a great company to be in. There’s no other way around it; if the Steelers want to make any noise, they need to become much more efficient in the red zone.
It’s a shame Arthur Smith hasn’t utilized Washington more in the red zone. His massive frame and quick feet make him a matchup nightmare. Wilson tried targeting Washington in the end zone against the Ravens, but what looked like a miscommunication resulted in an interception. That shouldn’t discourage Wilson from looking Washington’s way near the goal line, though. And it doesn’t just need to be near the goal line, Washington should see more touches anywhere on the field. Good things usually happen when the Steelers get him the ball.
Main Photo: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
