Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Standouts from Week 1 vs. Browns

James Conner

Now, it’d be just as easy, from a fan perspective, to blame James Conner largely for this loss. The Steelers had a lead midway through the fourth quarter, the Browns had just turned it over on downs. All Pittsburgh had to do was milk the clock. All Conner had to do was hold onto the ball, and the Steelers more than likely get away with a win. Instead though, Conner put the ball on the ground, and that started the Browns comeback.

Being that Conner is in his second year and didn’t have a lot of playing time in his first year, he is more or less a rookie when it comes to being in these crucial situations. Hopefully this can be a mistake that is learned from and will better Conner going forward.

Regardless though, the running back played a great game, really filling in and adapting quickly to the bell-cow role he was needed for. Conner racked up 135 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries, while also adding five receptions for 57 yards.

It’s important to remember here, James Conner is not Le’Veon Bell, and it’s unfair to expect him to be. While Conner was able to add to the receiving game, there is a difference between what he did and what Bell is able to do when he splits out wide and can run the route tree as well as just about any receiver in the league.

That being said though, Conner did a great job in this game of playing his style of running back. He was physical, took a lot of contact, and kept on pushing throughout this whole game. Steelers fans should be excited to see what Conner can do going forward.