With the Steelers defense shaking out to be one of the best in the NFL, the offense will need to increase it’s production if the Steelers are going to grab an AFC wildcard spot. This week the offense will be down two pro bowlers as JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner will sit out against the lowly Cincinnati Bengals. Here are three Steelers that need to step up and help Mason Rudolph put points on the board this week in Cincinnati:
WR James Washington
It’s well known that Washington and Rudolph were teammates at Oklahoma State University so the lack of a connection between the two has been somewhat surprising in 2019. Washington seems to be on the verge of a breakout performance every week, but a landmark performance hasn’t been in the cards for the second-year wideout. Washington led the team in targets, receptions and yards two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Rams. He also scored the Steelers lone offensive touchdown. But a lost fumble late in that game seemed to stymie Washington’s growth and confidence.
Last week against the Browns he only had three receptions for a team-high 49 receiving yards on five targets. Washington has good game speed and while he isn’t the biggest receiver, he has a knack for making big plays downfield. Look for him to bounce back against a Bengals defense that is 24thin passing yards surrendered.
RB Benny Snell Jr.
Snell is another young Steelers that has shown flashes of productivity. He is returning from a three-week hiatus and arthroscopic knee surgery. But if he’s healthy, his productivity in the running game will add a much-needed boost to the Steelers offense. Snell, a rookie from the University of Kentucky, has a bruising running style that meshes well with the Steelers gap run blocking scheme. He may be a liability in pass-protection but his prowess as a ball-carrier cannot be ignored.
The last time Snell was healthy for a full game was in week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He finished that game with 75 rushing yards, more than backfield mate Jaylen Samuels has had in any game so far this year.
TE Vance McDonald
McDonald has been an enigma all season. He hasn’t been particularly good as a receiver or run blocker in 2019. In fact, the Steelers have opted to deploy Zach Banner, an offensive tackle, at tight end because McDonald has been ineffective at setting the edge in the running game. Even so, he remains highly involved in the Steelers passing attack. McDonald has been targeted seven times in each the Steelers last three games. He’s led or been tied for the team lead in targets the last two weeks.
But his productivity has been horrible. In week 10 McDonald had three receptions for 11 yards and a fumble. He averaged 3.7 yards per reception. In comparison, the average rush in the NFL goes for 3.9 to 4.0 yards per attempt. In last week’s loss to the Browns, McDonald had three receptions for 33 yards. McDonald is quickly becoming one of Rudolph’s favorite receivers, look for his consistency and productivity to improve if the Steelers offense is going to take a positive step forward.
