PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Predictable. Obvious. Anticipated. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith even offered up the phrase of his group 'hitting a rut'. Saturday in the playoffs in Baltimore, Smith promises to do whatever it takes to win.
"We are not going to leave any stone unturned," Smith said Wednesday. "I use the analogy, let's burn the boats because you got to win to stay in. Survive and advance."
"We will use everything at our disposal."
That includes the reemergence of Justin Fields. Dealing with an abdominal injury during his one carry against the Eagles, Fields hasn't played. Smith said the back-up quarterback has been in the game plan script, but not inserted into the game. Even though this team has struggled in short yardage and numerous other situations.
Two key plays against the Bengals, Fields could have been a difference maker. 49 seconds to play in the first half, Russell Wilson is stopped on a 3rd and 1 sneak, then the toss play to Jaylen Warren was stuffed. Fields averages 4.7 yards per rush to lead the team. That decision led directly to three points, Cincinnati won by two.
Now Smith is talking about 'burning the boats' and how they are in a single-elimination tournament. He left the caveat he's willing to do whatever 'assuming it's the appropriate thing to do'.
Three times during the season Fields rushed for over 55 yards. Once this season Jaylen Warren rushed for 55 yards. That's not to say Warren should be replaced, but Fields is a weapon. Even though Najee Harris had another thousand-yard season, he averaged only 4 yards per attempt. Fields is their most explosive runner.
"However you slice it up, it's not the results you want," Smith said about the offense. "Change some things up. Don't use the same logic that got you in this rut."
Russell Wilson said he wanted to see more aggression in the offense this week. Fields presence says aggression. It says they aren't just going to do the same thing over, and over, and over again.
"Don't use the same logic when something is going the wrong way and double-down and triple-down, we are not going to do that," Smith said.
Harris has rushed nine times on the first play of the game this season for a total of 17 yards. They have the worst yards-per-attempt on first down in the NFL. How about a play-action or maybe something involving Justin Fields? If not the first play, then early to set a tone or create a spark.
"We got to do something different," Smith said.
Look at how many different Smith quotes from one news conference talk about change. When it comes down to it, is this all talk or will they really do something to give them a chance to win instead of not to lose.
