Steelers coach Mike Tomlin plans to fix the ailing Steelers running game this week, but one thing he won't change is the starting running back.
James Conner will continue to be the Steelers' featured runner, but there are a host of issues the coaches and players have to fix after another lackluster performance on the ground in Sunday's victory against the Bengals.
The Steelers rushed for just 44 yards. It was the third consecutive game the Steelers failed to reach 50 rushing yards.
"The biggest critique is our ineffective running game," Tomlin said Tuesday afternoon on his weekly Zoom call with local reporters. "We spent a lot of time talking and thinking about that in an effort to move forward. One of the things I'll acknowledge is you always go through lulls in a season when components of your play are lacking. It requires a re-center of energy or attention. I believe that's where we are in regards to the run game. We'll get about that task this week."
Tomlin said the Steelers worked hard on fixing their third-down conversion percentage last week after some poor outings in previous weeks. In the 36-10 victory over Cincinnati, the Bengals were 0 for 13 on third downs. He is confident the Steelers can fix their issues in the running game.
"The only thing that is perfect about our team is our record," Tomlin said. "There will always be things to work on. I look forward to getting in the lab and tackling this run game situation. It's something we shouldn't have a difficult time pushing through to be quite honest. We have very capable people in that area, but it is below the line as we sit here today. Thankfully, it wasn't significant enough to cost us a game at this juncture, but we are proceeding with that level of urgency."
The Steelers are 24th in the league in rushing yards per game and 27th in yards per carry. It's been a month since they've rushed for more than 100 yards in a game.
"We're not up to snuff," Tomlin said. "We're going to roll up our sleeves and resolve it."
When he was asked if Conner remained his "bell cow," if he needed to make a change, Tomlin responded: "I do not. He is. We're going to get better."
