Steelers just found out how to unlock the ultimate cheat code on offense
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally found consistent offensive success in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings. While Mike Tomlin's team only put up 24 points by the end of the game, the Steelers had their most efficient overall offensive showing of the season and were able to run the ball effectively for the first time this year.
There's a reason for that, and his name is Darnell Washington.
In the first three weeks of the season, the Steelers averaged 63 rushing yards per game on a dismal 2.8 yards per carry. But in Week 4, everything changed. Though they were without starting running back Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh exploded for 131 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry.
Multiple factors contribute to this success, and the Vikings were already susceptible to the run entering Week 4. However, Washington's added presence is the common denominator.
With unmatched size and strength at the tight end position, Washington is like a cheat code. He can serve as an extra offensive tackle in pass protection or as a run blocker. He proved it in Dublin, Ireland. For only the fourth time in his three-year NFL career, Washington was on the field for more than 40 offensive snaps, and Pittsburgh's offense looked the best it has all season.
The 6-foot-7 tight end used his impressive size and strength to move defenders off the ball and pave rushing lanes for backup running back Kenneth Gainwell. This allowed Gainwell, a former Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, to have a career performance in his first start with the Steelers.
When he wasn't blocking during the Vikings game, Washington could leak out as a receiver. He instantly became a nightmare to bring down after the catch, and the big tight end plowed his way to 10 yards after the catch on three receptions (3 targets).
Darnell Washington should be the Pittsburgh Steelers' most-used tight end
This might be the key. When you look at the tight end snap counts after the game, Darnell Washington led the pack with 48. Believe it or not, this was followed by tight end-eligable offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (19), then Connor Heyward (16), Pat Freiermuth (15), and finally, Jonnu Smith (13).
Though Freiermuth and Smith have a combined average annual earnings of over $24 million per season, per Over The Cap, the Steelers shouldn't let contracts decide which players should see the field the most. Washington offers two things neither of these tight ends has: un-guardable size and unstoppable strength.
Looking at the box score numbers (three receptions for 20 yards), you'd think that Washington didn't make much of an impact in the Steelers' win over the Vikings. However, the tape tells an entirely different story. Washington played a major role in pushing Minnesota defensive linemen off the ball at the line of scrimmage and controlling the offensive trenches.
But here's the most remarkable statistic.
When the Steelers play Washington more than 40 offensive snaps in a game over his career, Pittsburgh has a 6-0 record. In these games, the offense rushes for 125.1 yards per game with seven total rushing touchdowns, and the Steelers have outscored their opponents 149-110. Mike Tomlin's team is also 2-0 against the Baltimore Ravens when Washington plays north of 40 snaps.
Obviously, Washington's usage is often determined by the team's game script. If the Steelers have a lead, the big tight end will usually see increased snaps as the offense attempts to chew the clock and run the football.
Still, it's hard to argue with the results. There's only one 6-foot-7, 300-pound tight end with a 7-foot wingspan in the NFL who can be used as a cheat code, and he's on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Darnell Washington's unmatched combination of size and strength makes him one of the rarest players in the NFL, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are finally finding out just how special he is to the offense.
Not Even Joe Burrow Could Save the Bengals Now
Let’s not waste any more time here because the Bengals have been decaying for a while now.
The Bengals are cooked and we probably could have put a fork in their season before Monday night’s 28–3 debacle against the Broncos.
This team is going nowhere with or without Joe Burrow. He’s not saving this team if he returns from his toe injury in a few months. But, sure, keep hope alive, Bengals fans and those who constantly anoint this team every offseason solely because they have Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and beat the Chiefs in the playoffs one time four years ago. Go ahead and look at the schedule. There might be three more upcoming losses with the Lions, Packers and Steelers next up on the schedule. Continue scrolling through because there’s a three-game stretch against the Ravens twice with the Bills sandwiched between the two AFC North battles.
Say what you want about the Ravens’ issues and 1–3 start. It’s not as bad as what has been going on in Cincinnati for quite some time now. The team can’t protect the quarterback and the defense can’t protect the end zone. Even if Burrow was healthy, this defense would probably blow most leads. The Bengals aren’t equipped to contend and have zero chance to compete without Burrow.
Chase should have just taken a seat when he decided to tell coach Zac Taylor that he was open on third down with his team trailing big in the fourth quarter. Maybe backup Jake Browning briefly saw Chase open downfield, but for four quarters in Denver, he had no time operating behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league.
That was the same situation during the embarrassing 38-point beatdown in Minnesota last week. Cincinnati has been outscored 76–13 in the past two games, making its 2–0 start a distant memory.
Again, no one will be saving this team. Not Burrow, not Browning, not Kirk Cousins or any other quarterback available before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Just fold and take the top-10 pick to draft the best available offensive line prospect or edge rusher.
Bengals quarterback Jake Browning, left, gets back to his feet after being sacked on Monday night. Denver recorded three sacks and six QB hits. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The teams that tie up a significant amount of the salary cap on the quarterback and a few other core players must prioritize the draft to remain contenders and not just trot out a top-heavy roster. But the Bengals have whiffed on several draft picks in recent years. They might have a running back gem in Chase Brown, a 2023 fifth-round pick, but he can’t do much behind a struggling offensive line. In four games, Brown has 133 yards and is averaging 2.3 yards per carry.
Hopefully one of the Bengals’ decision makers stared at the graphic from the ESPN broadcast that listed Burrow’s six significant injuries since they took him No. 1 in 2020. Maybe that gave them a hint to stop paying wide receivers and prioritize the offensive line moving forward.
Look, I’ll stop bashing the Bengals for wanting to lock down two talented wide receivers for their franchise quarterback. But it’s strange that this team doesn’t do more to keep Burrow upright. I get that this team can’t draft and doesn’t want to pay defenders, but at least give yourself a chance to win some shootout games like last year’s squad, which fell short of the postseason despite Burrow playing at an elite level.
Heck, even the Browns made a trade to improve their offensive line. I’m not saying offensive tackle Cam Robinson will solve their problems, but at least the Browns are trying to improve their offensive line.
Maybe I’m being a little harsh. It’s always dangerous forking a team after four games. But everyone has been aware of the Bengals’ same roster holes for several years now. No matter how much
Patrick Mahomes doesn't have players as good as Chase and Higgins and has made the Super Bowl three consecutive seasons. The same with Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson and they make the postseason regularly.
The Bengals haven’t made the playoffs since 2022. They’re on the verge of wasting another prime Burrow, Chase and Higgins season. It’s time to stop wasting your time on the Bengals.
