Steelers' Jaylen Warren Reveals Important Weakness Pittsburgh Exploited Against Saints

The Pittsburgh Steelers walked into Stade de France on Sunday morning with an opportunity to make history, and they left Paris with a 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Mike McCarthy's team improved to 5-2 after controlling the ground game and delivering another impressive defensive performance. Running back Jaylen Warren was at the center of Pittsburgh's offensive success, rushing for 101 yards on 18 carries while adding 36 receiving yards. However, his comments following the victory revealed something particularly interesting about the Steelers' preparation.

Pittsburgh did not accidentally discover success running the football against New Orleans. The Steelers entered Sunday's matchup believing they could exploit weaknesses in the Saints' defense by leaning on their rushing attack. That approach became obvious almost immediately, as Warren helped establish the physical identity Pittsburgh wanted throughout the afternoon. The Steelers finished with 148 rushing yards while holding New Orleans to just 18.

According to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Chris Adamski, Warren explained the mentality behind the team's offensive game plan following the victory. The running back made it clear that Pittsburgh's coaching staff had identified something it believed could be exploited before the game began. His response offered a revealing look at how the Steelers approached their historic international matchup.

"It was a lot of it, we knew what we knew about them," Warren said. "We wanted to use our strengths against their weakness."

That might sound like a simple explanation, but there is something important about Warren's comments. Pittsburgh understood what it wanted to accomplish offensively and remained committed to that approach. The Steelers did not need to reinvent their identity or ask quarterback Aaron Rodgers to carry the entire offense.

Instead, McCarthy's team recognized an opportunity to establish physical control and took advantage of it. Warren averaged 5.6 yards per carry, consistently providing Pittsburgh with manageable situations on offense. His ability to create positive yardage helped the Steelers maintain possession and avoid becoming overly dependent on difficult passing situations.

The opening possession offered an immediate example of that preparation paying off. Pittsburgh used offensive lineman Spencer Anderson as an additional blocker, creating opportunities for Warren to attack the Saints' defense. The running back broke loose for a 29-yard gain, demonstrating exactly why the Steelers were confident in their approach.

Warren finished the first quarter with 57 rushing yards on seven carries. Pittsburgh ultimately settled for a field goal on its opening possession, but the message had already been delivered. The Steelers were going to challenge New Orleans physically rather than abandon their rushing attack.

That decision also helped create opportunities for other offensive contributors. Rico Dowdle added 41 rushing yards on nine carries while catching six passes for another 45 yards. Together, Pittsburgh's running backs provided the offense with versatility and helped keep the Saints from focusing exclusively on Rodgers.

Steelers' Jaylen Warren Proves Pittsburgh's Offensive Strategy Was No Accident

The most encouraging development might be what Warren's comments reveal about Pittsburgh's offensive preparation. McCarthy and his coaching staff identified a favorable matchup, communicated their intentions, and watched their players execute the plan. That is the type of consistency Steelers fans have wanted to see from an offense capable of complementing its defense.

Rodgers completed 19 of his 30 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown, including a four-yard scoring connection with tight end Darnell Washington. Pittsburgh did not produce an overwhelming offensive performance, but the running game helped prevent the Saints from completely dictating the contest. The Steelers also converted 10 of their 16 third-down opportunities.

That third-down success deserves attention because it reflects the value of establishing a dependable rushing attack. When Warren consistently produces positive yardage, Pittsburgh can avoid situations where opposing defenses know a pass is coming. That creates additional flexibility for Rodgers and allows the offense to operate with greater balance. For now, the win is nice, but the Steelers know their offense still has plenty of work to do.

Should the Pittsburgh Steelers continue making Jaylen Warren the centerpiece of their offense? Let me know on X @anthonyghalkias. 

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