PITTSBURGH — Kenny Pickett and the Steelers offense opened up the day by taking it to the Bills entire starting defense. Starting on their first drive after a lackluster kick return, the Steelers were backed up on their own 14-yard line. Yet, that did not seem to faze the team. The first drive started out a little rocky, with Najee Harris getting two three-yard runs scattered throughout that drive.
But Kenny Pickett stepped up on the drive and made a few plays. The second play was a hitch route to George Pickens for a first down. But on 3rd and 7 and under pressure, Pickett stepped up and kept his head downfield to find Allen Robinson II settling down in an open zone. The very next play, Jaylen Warren would rip off a 62-yard touchdown.
However, the team’s second drive did not even need more than one play to fully get going. Calvin Austin III ripped off a 54-yard punt return. On the very next play, Pickett threw a dime to the inside shoulder for Pat Freiermuth on a seam route. It was the rare middle-of-the-field throw that did not show up enough last year, and Pickett looked far more comfortable making those throws and placing them. That is a trait that he has to grow into, and it seems it is starting to come around for the Steelers.
Throughout the first two games, the Steelers offense has 4 touchdowns outside the redzone, all registering as explosive plays. They only had 2 touchdowns outside of the redzone all last season, and they now have 4 throughout the first one-and-a-half preseason games. To say the least, that is about as much as you can ask for, especially from the first-team offense. On three drives, the Steelers have scored touchdowns on all of them. Pickett looks sharper and what they see in practice, continues to show itself on the football field.
The Steelers can expect plenty of contributions throughout the season from a number of their weapons. As of now, the offensive line appears to be gelling at a high level and playing well. They still have to go out and prove it in an actual regular season game, but in the preseason, they have done everything possible to check the boxes.