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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Allison Koehler

Steelers art of ‘boring’ football translates to winning football

The Pittsburgh Steelers have perfected the art of “boring” football—and it’s paying off. Under head coach Mike Tomlin, they don’t need a roster of flashy superstars. They rely on players who do their job with discipline and consistency. It’s an old-school approach, but it’s effective.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers do boring well,” ex-Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Isaiah Stanback said on “Good Morning Football.”

“That’s just it. Mike Tomlin, he does boring well. He doesn’t need any superstars. He just needs people who do their job. Old school method.”

Consider the numbers: 3rd down, 44% conversion rate. Not groundbreaking, but respectable. 4th down, 50 percent. In the red zone, they score 75% of the time. When it’s goal-to-go, they’re perfect at 100%.

Their run game underscores this approach. With 140 rushing yards on 43 carries, they ran the ball 57% of the time. Surprisingly, Najee Harris wasn’t even their leading rusher. Pittsburgh’s offense held the ball for a solid 36 minutes and controlled the game.

And then there’s Russell Wilson, showing the value of leadership. He ended the game with a hard count—a rare move, but it worked because the entire team believed in him and shared a unified mission.

The Steelers are a threat not because they’re flashy but because they excel at fundamentals. They’re not making mistakes. They’re doing what needs to be done, which should make every opponent nervous.

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