2. James Conner has first 100-yard rushing game
Not long removed from the glory days of Le’Veon Bell, that’s how I’m choosing to remember them, the Steelers have the fourth-worst ground game in the NFL. Through the first five weeks of the season, the Steelers are averaging a dismal 67.0 rushing yards per game. The three teams below the Steelers are a combined 0-13.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
A year after averaging 74.8 rushing yards per game and making the Pro Bowl, Conner is running for 38.8 yards per game. He is getting about five fewer carries per game, but that’s somewhat because his per carry average dropped from 4.5 last season to 3.3 in 2019. Conner is also catching fewer passes for fewer yards this season.
Conner posted his best rushing performance of the season last week, running for 55 yards on 14 carries. However, Week 6 will be the game that Conner finally explodes and returns to Pro Bowl form.
The Chargers have the 19th best run defense in the league, allowing 119.8 rushing yards per game. While that seems to imply that Conner won’t hit 100 yards, something has been building in Pittsburgh’s offense over the past two weeks or so. Even if Mason Rudolph doesn’t play, the Steelers will find a way to feed and block for Conner. It’s time for the young back to reassert himself.