Steelers Run Game Poised to Explode vs. Texans

The Steelers have tried to find solutions to their running game issues over the last few weeks. While nothing seemed to work, the team finally found some methods of success against the Raiders. Still, they only averaged 3.4 yards per carry, but offensive coordinator Matt Canada might have the answers to go moving forward. It’s all linked to personnel usage.

While the team has primarily run out of 12 and 13 personnel and condensed sets, even out of 11 personnel, changes could be coming on that front. The Steelers saw plenty of success running out of spread looks against the Raiders, averaging nearly nine yards per carry on those runs.

“Yeah, I mean, there’s area for lot of things,” Canada said. “Obviously, what’s the balance, the correct balance. Is it doing more or having opportunity or mistakes and not quite knowing what to do, or prior question, you know, simplify and that’s why it was better. So, there is a balance there of doing more, different things, different looks to execute, which we’ve got a lot in our bank here of plays we’ve run at camp, and also getting our guys comfortable. So yeah, we can do a lot more things. Again, got to find a way to win this week anyway we can. We’ll just keep trying to add to it from there.”

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren against the Cleveland Browns, Sept. 18, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Texans offer another opportunity to look at the run game and find success. While the group has a good stable of running backs, and the tape is generally kinder to the offensive line than you would imagine, the schematics and ancillary execution still are lacking. The tight ends, in particular, are one of the critical areas of execution that the Steelers will look to to take that leap to the next level.

“You know, I think we have good plays in there, it’s more about execution,” tight end Darnell Washington said. “We have the personnel to run out of a lot of different looks, but we have to show up and focus on our techniques to get those successful runs moving forward.”

Houston comes into the game 28th in EPA per rush. They rank dead last in run defense grade from Pro Football Focus. But the runs can not come on the edge. Will Anderson and Jonathan Greenard are excellently holding the edge and blowing up those plays. But runs between the tackles work against the Texans. They have seen a lot of duo and inside recently, two concepts that the Steelers love. But Pittsburgh should pull out more gap concepts with pulling guards to add flavor to their in-between-the-tackles run game. If they can do that, there is a chance the team has a breakout game on the ground. It feels like they are getting closer from an execution perspective, but Canada has to help them with box counts from a schematic perspective.

If he can do that, expect Pittsburgh to have their most efficient rushing day of the season. The Ravens next week will bring a more challenging test, and Pittsburgh has to have some identity to latch onto before the test that awaits back home in Pittsburgh in the AFC North.