Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Bold predictions vs. Colts, Week 9
By Samuel Teets
2. James Conner’s receiving yards double his rushing total
If this prediction comes true, it would be the second time this season Conner has doubled his rushing total as a receiver. In Week 1, the Pro Bowl running back recorded 21 rushing yards and 44 receiving yards. As a team, the Steelers rank 24th in the NFL in rushing yards per game.
Pittsburgh has been unable to establish the run this season, despite having three Pro Bowl offensive linemen. Conner in particular, who made the Pro Bowl last season, has struggled mightily. His highest rushing total this year is 55 yards, which he posted in Week 5.
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
Besides Week 1, Conner has come close to doubling his rushing total through the air on two other occasions. In Week 4, he ran for 42 yards but contributed 83 through the air. In Week 6 he rushed for 41 yards and added 78 more on seven receptions.
Conner’s receiving production has kept pace with his rushing as a whole this season. The third-year running back has 380 rushing yards and 236 receiving yards in 2019. This equality is thanks to Pittsburgh’s distrust in its backup quarterbacks. The Steelers do not want Rudolph or Devlin Hodges throwing the ball down the field, and I honestly can’t blame them. As a result, Conner and his fellow running backs are being fed short passes at or behind the line of scrimmage.
Since the Steelers are no longer a threat to go deep, something Ben Roethlisberger and his receivers were terrific at in past seasons, opponents stack the box and stuff the run. This leads to low rushing totals to accompany the array of short pass plays, sinking Pittsburgh’s offensive production into mediocrity.
Conner did suffer an AC joint injury on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He may miss Pittsburgh’s Week 9 matchup.