It’s probably not yet time to say that the Steelers’ offense has turned a corner, but there have certainly been some signs of progress over the last three weeks.
The team rushed for 217 yards — the most it has put up in six years — against the Saints. It scored 30 points against the Bengals and, this past week, scored the second-most points against Indianapolis of any team this season.
And the Steelers’ defensive players are noticing.
“Very encouraging,” defensive lineman Cam Heyward said Thursday. “I always say if our defense is on the sideline, that's a good sign. And them sustaining drives, converting third downs is huge, and they have to continue to do it.”
Early in the season the defense, hampered by numerous three-and-outs on the offensive side of the ball, was tasked with being on the field far too long. Though the season’s first month, the Steelers were trending towards being historically bad in terms of time of possession.
But, of late, that trend has begun to shift. Pittsburgh is roughly plus-25 minutes in time of possession over the last three games, including a plus-9 mark against the Colts and nearly plus-18 minutes against the Saints.
It’s been a huge element of keeping the tram competitive, and in the team’s two wins since the bye week. That said, Heyward wants that to become the standard, not an outlier.
“I can pat them on the back, but it doesn't help them going forward,” he said. “We got to keep doing this, and we got to keep getting better.”
Heyward could literally pat the leader of the Steelers’ offense on the back if he so desired. He and rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett share adjacent lockers at the team’s practice facility.
The close proximity between the Steelers’ most experienced player and defensive captain, and the future of the team’s leadership, was probably not an accident. And it’s given the two plenty of opportunity for dialogue about things on the field, and off it.
“He's a mute by me,” Heyward joked. “We talk about things. There's growth that's always happening, but I ain’t patting my back for that. He's got good guys on the side of the ball or helping him. And if he ever has a question, I'm just available. That's all I can be for a young guy.”
With the team at 4-7, the Steelers really can’t afford another loss. Even if they win out, they likely would not be in a playoff spot until the week’s final season, unless they get substantial help from the teams ahead of them.
Despite the tall mountain, the season isn’t dead to Heyward.
“I don't think we're ever dead,” he said. “We got to go play. We got to make sure that we hold up our end of the deal and start stacking. It's not going to be easy.
“I’ll take it one game at a time, but I want to win them all from here on out.”