The Pittsburgh Steelers win in convincing fashion over the Falcons in week three of the preseason. The starters dominated when they were out there, and the depth looked good as well. Even though the Falcons held their stars on the bench, there is still plenty to takeaway.
The Running Backs
The obvious takeaway from the game is that all three running backs looked effective. In fact, all three scored touchdowns. The duo of Harris and Warren seems like it could be something special.
Najee Harris looked like his usual self, constantly running over people. The team only gave him four carries but he made the most of them with 18 yards and a touchdown. Harris should be back to the dominating running back we saw at the end of last season.
Jaylen Warren also suffered from a lack of touches. He only carried the ball twice, but similarly to Harris, he made them count. Warren had 14 yards and an impressive touchdown. This duo is looking real scary for the rest of the NFL.
The third running back spot was somewhat of a mystery until the game. Anthony McFarland Jr. received the bulk of the running work and should have locked up his roster spot. He racked up 55 yards on his 10 carries while scoring a touchdown.
Overall, the running game should be much improved because of the way the Steelers space the field now. The increased prevalence of the deep ball along with more elusive options on the jet sweep create much more space for all backs.
Darnell Washington
There has been very little talk about Darnell Washington in the preseason. This is most likely due to the lack of box score stats. However, watching the games is where he becomes extremely noticeable.
Washington was a large factor in many of the longer runs against the falcons. He was dominant against defensive ends especially when he was sealing the edge. His run blocking should also help create cutback lanes and more explosive runs.
Pickens & Johnson
These two receivers both have the potential to be at the top of the league. They way that they work together is football art. Their skillsets compliment each other so well.
George Pickens is one of the best jump ball receivers in the league. He may have the best hands in the league. He needs to work on creating separation, but quite frankly, it doesn’t matter because he catches it anyways.
Diontae Johnson has the exact complimentary skillset. He is consistently ranked among the best route runners in the league. He always finds a way to get open. His hands are a concern, but his ability after the catch allows for him to make massive plays.
Both receivers had one catch for 30+ yards in the game against the falcons. They both won in their own unique way. It seems to be a clear sign of things to come.
The Inside Linebackers
For the first time in what feels like forever, the Steelers inside linebackers look good. Kwon Alexander and Cole Holcomb have been shining throughout preseason. They should be the starters come game time, but Elandon Roberts was a true star and was a big factor in the Steelers win.
Roberts was flying around making plays all over the field. He made multiple tackles in the backfield including a sack. He looks to be a much needed physical presence in the middle.
Mark Robinson and Tanner Muse also played well. It seems to be that Nick Kwiatkowski may be the man to get cut. It’s a tough decision since he has not played bad by any means, but his age is most likely the deciding factor.
Overall, the Steelers win again. They had just about the best preseason that any fan could ask for.
Stay tuned for more exciting NFL content, including roster moves, in depth analysis, and more news from around the league.
Feature image courtesy of Steelers.com
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- Source: https://thegamehaus.com/nfl/steelers-win-24-0-over-falcons-5-key-takeaways/2023/08/28/
