Oh, Bryant McFadden. We appreciate your optimism, but the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t surpassed 400 yards of total offense in the regular season since… checks notes… 2020. Yes, it was the crazy COVID year when the Steelers went 11-0 before falling off a cliff to finish the season at 12-4.
In the predictions segment of the Nov. 5 episode of All Things Covered, the ex-Steelers cornerback said Pittsburgh would win 21-13 while surpassing 400 yards in total offense.
It’s been over three years since those kinds of offensive numbers were produced — Matt Canada was just a lowly quarterbacks coach.
In Week 2 of 2020, the Steelers hung 410 yards on the Denver Broncos via two great performances in the air and on the ground. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 311 yards (ah, those were the days) to Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, with a few others chipping in. On the ground, James Conner had 106 yards and a score.
The closest Pittsburgh’s come to that figure since was, interestingly, versus Denver. This time, it was Week 5, 2021. Roethlisberger had a 253-yard day, 130 of them and a touchdown to Claypool. He threw his second to Johnson who added 72 yards. Again, the ground game came up huge with Najee Harris grinding out 122 yards and a touchdown.
Can they do it now versus a beat-up Packers defense? Maybe. And for two reasons: Two key defenders, linebacker Quay Walker and cornerback Jaire Alexander are doubtful this week.
Walker, Green Bay’s primary run-stuffer, leads the team with 66 tackles. The Steelers appeared to have something promising going with Harris and Jaylen Warren against the Tennessee Titans.
With Alexander likely out, the Packers will have a tough time slowing down Johnson and George Pickens. This could be just the boost that Pickens needs to put up some numbers.
Still, 400 yards is asking a lot from a Pittsburgh Steelers team that’s still searching for its identity.
