In 1st game post-Matt Canada, Steelers features tight ends, middle of the field, deeper passes

CINCINNATI — Whether intentional or not, on the first play of Sunday’s game, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense delivered a message.

In the first game of the post-Matt Canada era, things apparently were going to look noticeably different under interim coordinator Eddie Faulkner and play-caller Mike Sullivan.

Quarterback Kenny Pickett took the first snap against the Cincinnati Bengals and, after a play-action fake, delivered a well-placed pass to Pat Freirmuth between the hashmarks for a 24-yard gain.

Just like that, so much of what seemed to be missing from the offense — usage of play-action, targets to the tight ends, exploiting the middle of the field, lack of targets more than just a few yards downfield — suddenly looked like it came together.

“That’s Coach Sully’s (Sullivan) preparation and tendencies, and what he saw and what we plan to attack,” Pickett said of the first offensive snap of what ended up a 16-10 victory. “It was great execution by everybody.”

Pat Freiermuth vs the Bengals:

???? 9 receptions
???? 120 yards
???? 32 yards over expected pic.twitter.com/FMLLBGXkJV

— Zachary Smith (@ZacharySmithPGH) November 26, 2023

It was just one snap, but the play was a harbinger of the remainder of the afternoon, when the Steelers netted more yards (421) than they had during any game during the past 38 months.

The offense produced four passing gains of at least 24 yards, the tight ends combined for 12 catches for 141 yards, Pickett completed eight passes down the middle of the field and four that were caught at least 17 yards downfield.

For context, during last week’s loss at the Cleveland Browns, the longest passing gain was 21 yards, the tight ends corps produced two catches for 15 yards, Pickett completed one pass down the middle of the field and none that were farther than 14 yards down the field.

“We attacked down the field early when they were in split safeties,” coach Mike Tomlin said.

“Sometimes coverage dictates that,” Tomlin added later, referencing the tight ends in particular. “Pat’s first week back (off injured reserve) was last week. He was out an extended period of time (five games). It was more of a reflection of him and Kenny getting back on things. When (Freiermuth) is on, he really makes a difference.”

On Sunday, he set career-highs in catches (nine) and yardage (120) to help resuscitate a season in which he had just nine catches for 60 yards to this point. Though Freiermuth missed 5 1/2 games because of a hamstring injury, that production was well below what had been expected from him in his third NFL season after he topped 60 receptions in each of his first two.

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth on finally having a breakout game this season pic.twitter.com/XYRAxcr7x0

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 26, 2023

“Obviously, a lot of adversity (during) a big year (for him),” Freiermuth said. “It didn’t start the way I wanted to, got rolling a little bit (in Week 3) against the Raiders and then the hamstring came up. Hopefully, I can continue to stay healthy and build on this performance, especially as an offense.”

The continued ascension of the offense would be buoyed by Pickett throwing downfield with greater frequency and success. Through 14 of the 16 games played over the weekend, only six of the other 27 starting quarterbacks had a deeper average intended throw than Pickett (8.4 yards passed the line of scrimmage, per Next Gen Stats). Headed into the weekend, only six full-season starting quarterbacks had a lower average intended air yards than Pickett.

A big aspect of that against the Bengals involved the middle of the field and targeting tight ends. In addition to Freiermuth’s big day, Connor Heyward added two catches and Darnell Washington one.

“We’re just trying to show that we can do more, me and Pat and Darnell, and (No. 4 tight end Rodney Williams),” Heyward said. “We can move around, and we’re just trying to go out there, keep the defense on their heels. And if they want to stack the box, we can do our thing and get the ball down the field and run.”

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