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The Steelers’ post Matt Canada uprising was one good game against a bad defense. It was also their most
productive effort in a long, long time. Since before Canada’s hiring, to be precise. The details are almost beyond parody. The Steelers gained 421 yards in Cincinnati. A good day, but hardly anything revolutionary in the modern NFL.
For the Steelers? They never had a 400-yard outing with Canada calling plays. The last time they did? The game before his hiring. Again, beyond parody. That’s just raw output. Yards per play? As Adam Levitan points out, the Steelers averaged 4.8 yards per play under Canada in 2021. That number “increased” to 4.9 in 2022. It remained 4.9 in 2023. Sunday? 6.2.
If it felt like you almost had to try to be as bad as Canada, well … maybe you did? Again, one good game, and one good game where Kenny Pickett once again did not throw a touchdown pass. The run remained the engine of this offense. But it’s one good game that could quickly multiply. The Cardinals’ bottom-five defense is on tap for Week 13 before a short-week date with the collapsed Patriots. Indianapolis’ unimposing unit is next before a rematch with … the Bengals. Something like momentum might actually be established for Pickett’s career.
Pickett is still highly unlikely to be a star. His skill-set is simply too limited. The same does not have to be true for his supporting cast. It was Pat Freiermuth’s turn to be revived against the Bengals. Next up could be Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. With six teams on bye for Week 13, both Pittsburgh wideouts are worth a top-36 gander as the Steelers come back out into the…
