The Pittsburgh Steelers have turned a new leaf following their Week 4 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers have won three straight games while looking much improved on offense. The driving factor has been the rushing attack that has continued to improve every week. During the Steelers' Week 7 victory over the New Orleans Saints, running backs Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren each recorded at least 86 scrimmage yards on solid efficiency. The new-look offensive line has been able to pave the way for the talented backfield and allow Pittsburgh to control the tempo of the game.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium.
Warren, who is putting together a very good season, once again recorded more than 100 scrimmage yards. He has been the heart and soul of Pittsburgh's offense and is a major reason why the Steelers are 5-2.
Dowdle returned from injury in Week 6 and was relatively quiet during the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finally looked like the player that Pittsburgh signed in the offseason, as he had his best performance in Week 7. While a large majority of Steelers fans want to see Warren get more opportunities, Dowdle is a great complement to Warren and is becoming a solid contributor in his own right.
The rushing attack has allowed for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to play with a calm pace and read the defense without being under immense pressure. At age 42, he does not need to take over the game but has been able to provide effective play while keeping the Steelers on schedule.
Following the Steelers' Week 7 victory, Head Coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media during his postgame press conference. He commented on the performances of the talented running backs and how this duo is finally performing as the team expected during the preseason.
"Today you saw what training camp looked like," McCarthy said. "Jaylen and Rico all day. That is a good day for us."
Warren has been one of the hottest storylines in the NFL this season, as he has been one of the most efficient running backs in the league. Not only has he been tearing it up on the ground, but he has recorded 294 receiving yards through seven weeks. With the addition of Dowdle, Pittsburgh finally seems to have a great run game that can do serious damage to opposing defenses.
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Jaylen Warren jumps into the end zone after scoring a 50-yard touchdown against the Colts.
Pittsburgh's pass-catching room has been decimated by injuries to begin the season. Wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson both currently reside on injured reserve, and the team does not have much depth behind them. Wide receivers DK Metcalf and rookie Germie Bernard have done an okay job of stepping up in the absence of their teammates, but it seems likely that the Steelers will look to add another wide receiver before the trade deadline. In the meantime, the rushing attack should be able to continue to carry the load for Pittsburgh's offense. If the Steelers can rely on their talented backfield while the wide receivers return to full health, this team has the chance to go far during the 2026 season.
Steelers' New-Look Offensive Line Has Paved The Way For The Rushing Attack
Pittsburgh made the bold move to start rookie tackle Max Iheanachor in Week 3, and that gamble has since paid off. Iheanachor has been a bruiser in the run game and his presence seems to be a major reason why the Steelers have been able to run the ball so efficiently. While the young offensive tackle continues to learn and improve as a pass protector, he already has the natural ability and mentality to be a weapon in the running game. If Pittsburgh can stay efficient on the ground, it will have a much easier time picking up wins, rather than relying on Rodgers to do everything. It seems like McCarthy has put together a very solid formula for his talented running back duo.
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