PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin has spent the past few years almost gleefully leaning into an old-school approach that at times has seemed out of step with the modern NFL.
Part of this has been out of necessity. The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent most of the 2020s lacking the components — perhaps the coaching most of all — to build an offense that could keep pace with the teams they’ve been futilely chasing in the AFC.
So Tomlin did what he could to slow the game down. To gum it up with a defense and a thudding running game designed to eat up the clock and keep the Steelers competitive.
While it’s been just enough to scrape by — for all of the hand-wringing in Pittsburgh this decade, the Steelers have still made the playoffs three out of the past four years — it hasn’t been enough to succeed in late January.
And while the middle of winter remains far away, there’s a very real sense during Pittsburgh’s 3-0 start that this team isn’t built to merely survive. For proof, look no further than the Steelers’ final three possessions in Sunday’s 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Yards: 222. Points: 10, though it easily could have been 13 or 17 if Tomlin hadn’t decided to have quarterback Justin Fields kneel down with the ball at the Chargers 1 in the waning moments.
Swagger: considerable.
Fields joked an unnamed Los Angeles linebacker was relieved Pittsburgh took its foot off the gas with the game in hand. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. said the offensive line could sense that the Chargers defensive front was “just done.”
“That’s why we have the most physical training camp in the league, for drives like that,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s defense was overwhelming the Chargers. Elandon Roberts’ sack tweaked Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert’s achy right ankle. Backup Taylor Heinicke entered and found little time to do much of anything, absorbing three sacks in the span of four snaps, symbolic of a second half in which the Chargers were held to minus-5 yards.
Asked if this was the Platonic ideal of a Tomlin-coached game, Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick smiled.
“I think he’d like more stops on defense,” Fitzpatrick said, though it should be noted Pittsburgh has allowed an NFL-low 26 points so far. “I think he’d like to put more points on the board on offense. But I think (today was an) example of well-executed football.”
The kind of football the Steelers have been forced to play for a while now. No wonder they have looked so comfortable finishing off Atlanta, Denver and the Chargers.
A tight game late is where the Steelers live, and confidence that they will find a way to find a way is rising with each passing week.
“That’s the Pittsburgh way and we love it,” Freiermuth said. “We embrace it and we think it’s great.”
What’s working
Sticking with the run even when it’s a slog, and it was very much a slog for the first three quarters against the Chargers.
That changed when Pittsburgh got the ball back with 4:59 to go. The Steelers ran the ball seven times in eight plays, with Najee Harris and Cordarrelle Patterson churning for 68 yards against a Los Angeles front that looked as if it had seen enough.
What needs help
The early game scripting has left a little bit to be desired. Three of Pittsburgh’s first four drives were quick three-and-outs, with a methodical 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive breaking the monotony.
While Fields appears to be improving by the week and is completing 73% of his passes through three games, if the offense could provide an early lead, that would only further embolden a pass rush that is among the best in the league.
Stock up
Wide receiver Calvin Austin III’s pregame ritual includes opening the “Notes” app on his phone and reading messages he’s stored of people who never thought the 5-foot-9, 162-pound former walk-on at Memphis would make it.
After two injury-marred seasons to start his NFL career, Austin found his footing against the Chargers. His 55-yard catch-and-run for a score showcased the quickness that had led the Steelers to take him in the fourth round in 2022. He lined up in the slot, broke inside and outraced a pair of defenders to the end zone.
Stock down
Spencer Anderson — who has been filling in at left guard for injured Isaac Seumalo — found himself watching from the sideline at times while rookie Mason McCormick filled in. It ultimately may not matter with Seumalo getting closer to returning from a pectoral injury.
Injuries
Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith left in the second half with a groin injury. Nick Herbig thrived in Highsmith’s absence, picking up two of Pittsburgh’s five sacks. … Tomlin pulled RB Jaylen Warren in the second half because he didn’t feel Warren looked right. … Russell Wilson served as the emergency quarterback for a third straight week while he rehabs a calf injury. Considering the way Fields is playing, there is no need for Wilson to rush back.
Key number
8 — the number of times since 1970 that Pittsburgh has started 3-0. The previous seven teams to reach that mark ended up winning a division title.
Next steps
Try to keep it going next week against Indianapolis (1-2). The Colts bullied Pittsburgh in a 30-13 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium last December.
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