Steelers Now
All the Pittsburgh Steelers had to do was hop on a long flight overseas to unearth their most well-rounded performance of the season. Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd took notice of Mike Tomlin’s bunch during its 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin on Sunday.
“Over the last six years, I honestly felt, watching that game, that was the most hopeful Steeler win,” Cowherd said on his namesake podcast. “I’m like, ‘That team could go on the road and win a playoff game.’ I think so much of this league, in a passing league, is, ‘Can you consistently run the ball?’ First, you don’t want your quarterback throwing the ball 40 times, especially an old quarterback. Secondly, it keeps your defense off the field.
“I wrote down four or five different times, ‘Wow, impressed. Steeler O-line … really great today.'”
In place of an injured Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell stepped in and rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers went 18 for 22 for 200 yards and DK Metcalf had his breakout game in black and gold, which included an 80-yard touchdown reception.
T.J. Watt and DeShon Elliott both intercepted and sacked Carson Wentz, who was also pulled down by Patrick Queen, Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton.
“I felt (Vikings head coach) Kevin O’Connell came into the game with a game plan. So did (defensive coordinator) Brian Flores. And they didn’t adjust,” Cowherd said. “But I think Kevin O’Connell couldn’t adjust. Aaron played the best game, I think, Aaron’s played in a couple of years. I really did. He and DK Metcalf have a clear connection.
“I looked at Pittsburgh and I’m like, ‘Jesus, this is the best Steelers performance (in years).’ And again, (the Vikings) were missing three linemen. The Vikings were a mess on the O-line.”
Former NFL scout John Middlekauff, a guest on Cowherd’s podcast, was encouraged by the brand of football that the Steelers played in the win.
“I thought for the first time in four games … they looked like a physical team (from) start to finish,” Middlekauff said. “If you just gave the Steelers, every week, a 100-yard rusher, they’re gonna have a chance. Because the days of Aaron throwing for 375 are done. But what he can do is, a little bit like today, 20 of 24, 220 yards. And part of giving DK a lot of money — which was pretty risky — (is) every once in a while, he’s gonna take it 80 yards and cut across the field and run by everyone.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Cowherd: Win Over Vikings “Best Steelers Performance” in Years
