Theoretically, the Steelers figured a lot things out this past Sunday.
Of course, some things were reinforced that we already knew. Like the idea that TJ Watt is this team's MVP despite playing in only two games to this point.
He's one of the few players that shows his value when he's NOT playing just as much as when he is, considering the Steelers 1-10 record without him.
The Steelers also figured out what could be, and maybe should be, their blueprint to win games the rest of the way.
It starts with that defense led by Watt. Former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden joined us on the Cook and Joe Show this week and said Steelers defense didn't have a pulse when Watt wasn't out there. Now it does again. He makes everyone better. It makes everyone a viable playmaker again.
The Steelers can return to their best form: a relentless pass rush and a defense with a knack for turning the ball over. That's what they did in Cincinnati in Week 1 when they racked up five and that's what they did on Sunday picking off Andy Dalton twice.
It starts there then moves over to the offensive side of the ball. Lord knows we've all gotten sickened by how things have looked under Matt Canada at times this season, but a blueprint was created here as well last week.
It's by establishing balance. The Steelers have had a running back by committee emerge, the first of its kind really under Mike Tomlin. He's had effective running backs on the same roster before (like Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams) but has always used one as a "bell cow" over the other.
That hasn't been the case recently with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Nor should it be. Last week, Najee got 20 carries and used them for 99 yards, his best output of the season.
Jaylen Warren ended up with 12 total touches and was impactful almost every time he got his hands on the ball. It was beautiful. I don't think it's any coincidence that Najee had his best game to date this season coming off a bye week, either. I think that Lisfranc injury really bothered him.
The offensive line has taken its fair share of beatings, both physically on the field and verbally by fans and analysts, this season. But for the first time this season, I saw them be physical and move piles forward instead of stagnate. A downhill running game. Part of the blueprint.
The last part of this blueprint? Treating the rookie QB like the rookie QB. Is it a coincidence that the Steelers finally ran the ball effectively and Kenny Pickett didn't turn the ball over? I don't think so.
He also only threw the ball 30 times. That should be the sweet spot. They've got plenty of weapons for him that you want to utilize, but Pickett shouldn't be throwing the ball more than 35 times per game right now. He's not able to carry an NFL offense yet.
The running game with a playmaking defense all amounts to more Pickett protection. That's how the Steelers won back in 2004 with Ben Roethlisberger his rookie season. I know the league wasn't as pass happy even then as it is now…but it still goes a long way toward not putting your rookie QB in a spot where he's fighting an uphill battle to succeed.
The problem with this blueprint? The Steelers aren't playing the Saints every week. At home. With run-down Andy Dalton at QB. With a banged up defense.
So in a perfect world, it all clicks for them from here and they follow this formula to more wins and who knows where it leads for this season.
But we know this far from a perfect world and the Steelers are far from showing that they can consistently win right now. Let's see if they even have the wherewithal to TRY to stick to the same plan in how they beat the Saints last week or if Cincy exposes them to look like an overwhelmed team worthy of their 3-6 record.
