When you have a young quarterback making his second NFL start there’s no better way to make him successful than by using your starting running back. The Pittsburgh Steelers took that formula and used it against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. The result was not only a win for the Steelers but the best game of the year for Steelers running back James Conner.
Conner racked up only 42 rushing yards but chipped in 83 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. The offensive line was up and down against the Bengals but the playcalling worked to find opportunities for Conner.
The real question is how will head coach Mike Tomlin use Conner and Jaylen Samuels going forward. Was what we saw on Monday night an aberration for just one game or will Tomlin be willing to operate with a true running back by committee?
