The offense has been a big reason why the Steelers have won two straight games. Specifically, Aaron Rodgers has turned in his two best performances, which coincides with the injection of Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling at wide receiver.
Throughout October and November, the offense grew stagnant. They couldn't run the ball and couldn't consistently find anything through the air. Downfield passing was hit and miss, and the middle of the field was a no-fly zone.
But ever since the Steelers claimed Thielen off waivers and added Valdes-Scantling to the lineup, Rodgers has been efficient, which has made the offense efficient. I mean, they're coming off a game in which they scored touchdowns on four consecutive drives.
Now, why is that? Could all the Steelers have needed is a couple of professional, veteran receivers who know how to run routes? Because every time I asked Rodgers throughout October and November about what the offense needs to work on, it was usually a quick response: "Just making sure we're good on the details."
Okay, well, that's not a very detailed answer. At least, not for the casual fan who might be reading this looking for answers. But when I asked him how the details have been throughout the past couple weeks, since Thielen and Valdes-Scantling became part of the offense, Rodgers went a lot more in depth.
"Yeah, I think the details have been good," Rodgers said after Wednesday's practice. "I think the preparation has been good during the week. Monday to Saturday is super important. I think we've been locked in. I think we've had better practices."
Thielen was claimed off waivers on Dec. 2, then played 48.1% of the offensive snaps five days later -- more than any receiver on the team not named DK Metcalf. On Monday night against the Dolphins, Thielen was once again the second receiver on the team in snaps, but saw an even larger uptick to 57.6% of the snaps. Also on Monday night, Valdes-Scantling had the third-most snaps of any receiver on the team.
This just so happens to coincide with two straight games of Roman Wilson not even getting a helmet.
Having two experienced veterans lining up opposite of Metcalf, even if they are not the players they used to be, has given the offense a set of receivers that can run routes the way Rodgers needs them to be run.
"We know exactly what to expect," Thielen told me after Wednesday's practice. "You know that if you know what you're doing, what he's seeing and how he sees the game, it gives you an opportunity to get the ball, be open and create space. When a guy's been around that long and kind of does things for so long, you know that it works if you truly understand and are on the same page."
Now, Thielen's only caught two passes for 11 yards. He's not getting the ball. But, "create space" is the key. Regardless of whether the Steelers are trying to throw downfield against a single-high safety team like the Ravens or attack the middle of the field against a two-high safety team like the Dolphins, route concepts are designed to create space for every receiver in the progression, especially for the potential first read.
That's why it's hard to say it's just a coincidence that Metcalf has been a more consistent threat ever since Thielen and Valdes-Scantling were inserted into the offense.
What the Steelers have done in practice over the past two weeks has clearly played out in games. The Lions will be a different test, as they run out of their base defense (four defensive backs) more often than any other team in the NFL.
But, Rodgers has been part of some great offenses and been a key part of those units. The same can be said for Thielen. With the Steelers being able to run their passing concepts more consistently, they stand a better chance of sustaining this level of play, regardless of their opponent.
"The longer you've been in this league, you realize how important the process is and what that looks like to have success on Sundays," Thielen said. "I feel like that process has been really tight the last few weeks."
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The offense has been a big reason why the Steelers have won two straight games. Specifically, Aaron Rodgers has turned in his two best performances, which coincides with the injection of Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling at wide receiver.
Throughout October and November, the offense grew stagnant. They couldn't run the ball and couldn't consistently find anything through the air. Downfield passing was hit and miss, and the middle of the field was a no-fly zone.
But ever since the Steelers claimed Thielen off waivers and added Valdes-Scantling to the lineup, Rodgers has been efficient, which has made the offense efficient. I mean, they're coming off a game in which they scored touchdowns on four consecutive drives.
Now, why is that? Could all the Steelers have needed is a couple of professional, veteran receivers who know how to run routes? Because every time I asked Rodgers throughout October and November about what the offense needs to work on, it was usually a quick response: "Just making sure we're good on the details."
Okay, well, that's not a very detailed answer. At least, not for the casual fan who might be reading this looking for answers. But when I asked him how the details have been throughout the past couple weeks, since Thielen and Valdes-Scantling became part of the offense, Rodgers went a lot more in depth.
"Yeah, I think the details have been good," Rodgers said after Wednesday's practice. "I think the preparation has been good during the week. Monday to Saturday is super important. I think we've been locked in. I think we've had better practices."
Thielen was claimed off waivers on Dec. 2, then played 48.1% of the offensive snaps five days later -- more than any receiver on the team not named DK Metcalf. On Monday night against the Dolphins, Thielen was once again the second receiver on the team in snaps, but saw an even larger uptick to 57.6% of the snaps. Also on Monday night, Valdes-Scantling had the third-most snaps of any receiver on the team.
This just so happens to coincide with two straight games of Roman Wilson not even getting a helmet.
Having two experienced veterans lining up opposite of Metcalf, even if they are not the players they used to be, has given the offense a set of receivers that can run routes the way Rodgers needs them to be run.
"We know exactly what to expect," Thielen told me after Wednesday's practice. "You know that if you know what you're doing, what he's seeing and how he sees the game, it gives you an opportunity to get the ball, be open and create space. When a guy's been around that long and kind of does things for so long, you know that it works if you truly understand and are on the same page."
Now, Thielen's only caught two passes for 11 yards. He's not getting the ball. But, "create space" is the key. Regardless of whether the Steelers are trying to throw downfield against a single-high safety team like the Ravens or attack the middle of the field against a two-high safety team like the Dolphins, route concepts are designed to create space for every receiver in the progression, especially for the potential first read.
That's why it's hard to say it's just a coincidence that Metcalf has been a more consistent threat ever since Thielen and Valdes-Scantling were inserted into the offense.
What the Steelers have done in practice over the past two weeks has clearly played out in games. The Lions will be a different test, as they run out of their base defense (four defensive backs) more often than any other team in the NFL.
But, Rodgers has been part of some great offenses and been a key part of those units. The same can be said for Thielen. With the Steelers being able to run their passing concepts more consistently, they stand a better chance of sustaining this level of play, regardless of their opponent.
"The longer you've been in this league, you realize how important the process is and what that looks like to have success on Sundays," Thielen said. "I feel like that process has been really tight the last few weeks."
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