Mike Tomlin Makes Adjustment As Steelers Finally Do Exactly What Fans Have Been Asking

The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a thrilling 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, improving their record to 7-6 and giving them sole possession of first place in the AFC North. It was one of Pittsburgh's best performances on the offensive side of the ball all season long, thanks in part to 284 passing yards from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The biggest key for Pittsburgh's success on Sunday was their aggressiveness and ability to push the ball down the field, something they hadn't done in over a month.

In their previous five games, the Steelers hadn't completed a single pass down the field of more than 20+ air yards. On Sunday against the Ravens, Rodgers completed five passes of 20 or more yards. It was an obvious pre-determined game plan to be more aggressive, and it most certainly paid dividends. 

During his postgame press conference, Head Coach Mike Tomlin discussed his team's aggressive style of play in their biggest game of the season thus far.

"I just think we were in an aggressive posture all day. I think that's how we got out of bed this morning. That's what's required when you're playing these guys in their venue," Tomlin said. "I just think that's the way we needed to play. We needed to be aggressive. We've just been in here a lot, we're familiar with them in this environment, and that's what's required."

Tomlin’s words echoed what fans had been begging for. Many felt as if the Steelers were playing scared or too conservative during the previous stretch of games, often relying on the defense to hold opponents to low totals while the offense repeatedly stalled out. However, on Sunday, that script completely flipped. Pittsburgh attacked down the field, including multiple big pass plays to DK Metcalf. 

Metcalf finished the day with seven receptions for 148 yards, including a 52-yard bomb on the first play from scrimmage. That throw alone set the tone for how the Steelers wanted to attack down the field.

While speaking to the media after the game, Metcalf touched on how a great week of practice prepared them to hit some explosive plays against the Baltimore defense.

"I think just us connecting at practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and even on Friday. The defensive scout team gave us great looks. We were competing all week at practice," Metcalf said. "I think it was just a perfect storm for everything to just come together and for us to play a good game like that."

Sunday was the first time in over a month that the Steelers offense looked like a group that was finally in sync. The timing between Rodgers and Metcalf was smoother compared to previous weeks, and the offensive line gave Rodgers just enough time to let routes develop. 

Rodgers saved one of their best passing performances of the season for arguably Pittsburgh's biggest game of the year, and he was able to spread the wealth. Nine different receivers caught a pass on Sunday, including Rodgers himself. He didn’t force throws, panic during pressure, or fall into the check-down trap that has slowed down the offense over the course of the season.

Steelers’ Air Attack Arrives Just in Time For A Late-Season Run

At different points during Sunday’s win, plenty of Steelers fans were probably thinking, “why hasn’t the offense looked like this all year?” Even though it comes after dropping five of their last seven, this kind of showing couldn’t have arrived at a better moment. We’ve seen plenty of NFL teams catch fire late in the season, and the Steelers now have a real chance to do the same.

With only four games remaining, Pittsburgh controls its own path to earning its first AFC North crown since 2020.

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