The Pittsburgh Steelers are playoff-bound, but the odds are against them actually winning a postseason game.
That’s because they don’t do anything particularly well. Their offense and defense are average at best. They don’t run the ball well and their passing game is limited.
However, one area where the Steelers excel is the offensive line. According to PFSN’s OL impact metric, Pittsburgh ranked third this season behind only the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears.
Those are two of the best offenses in the NFL, so the Steelers must be doing something right.
When you have a 42-year-old quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, keeping him upright is critical. Pittsburgh did a good job protecting him this season, as his 29 sacks taken were his fewest since 2020.
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The Steelers also gave Rodgers time to throw, helping him post his best completion rate and passer rating since his last MVP campaign in 2021.
Pittsburgh’s offensive line also did a good job run blocking, helping running backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell have the best seasons of their careers. The Steelers’ offensive line improved over the course of the season, and so did their running backs.
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Not surprisingly, Pittsburgh’s improved offensive line helped the team finish the year strong, winning four of its final five games to clinch its first AFC North title since 2020. The Steelers scored at least 26 points in six of their last eight games after reaching that number just three times in their first nine games.
Pittsburgh isn’t expected to go far in the playoffs. But if it does, the offensive line will likely be a big reason why.
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Featured image via Brett Davis/Imagn Images