Working collectively once more: The Steelers had their prime two receivers again within the lineup final Sunday towards the Rams, with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens each on the sphere collectively for the primary time since Week 1.
Whereas some might need had considerations if there have been sufficient passes to go round, however with Pickens pulling in 5 receptions for 107 yards and Johnson catching 5 for 79 yards, it wasn’t a problem.
“We play off of each other,” mentioned Johnson, who did not observe on Thursday due to the hamstring. “He makes a play. I make a play. It is our little factor. As soon as each of us make a play, everybody else begins to make performs.
“We get that spark that we wanted. It exhibits. I really feel like we did an important job of that. Me and George had an important recreation. The entire crew had an important recreation. It is simply that spark and factor me and George have.”
Pickens mentioned it is good for the offense as an entire to have Johnson again.
“It helps so much. It helps a number of guys, not simply me,” mentioned Pickens. “It helps tight ends. Then when Pat (Freiermuth) comes again that may assist us too.
They’re hoping to proceed that spark this week towards the Jacksonville Jaguars at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. Whereas Jacksonville’s run protection is fourth within the NFL, their go protection is ranked thirty first. It is a quantity Johnson does not put a lot into as he is aware of how robust they’ll be to go towards.
“They run sure coverages on sure downs and distances,” mentioned Johnson. “It is our job to know what they’re in and consider that the teaching workers goes to name the fitting name in that state of affairs. We simply must proceed to look at movie, examine them extra, and see what they love to do in conditions, third and one, third and two, stuff like that.
“It is nothing we’ve not seen earlier than. It is soccer. We simply must go on the market and play on the finish of the day.”
Not simply play, however he desires to see the crew play quick within the first half, so they do not discover themselves in conditions much like the Rams recreation the place they’re enjoying from behind.
“Beginning quick, understanding the sport plan, who we’re going towards,” mentioned Johnson. “While you get on the market not overthinking. Simply being your self on the market. That’s what it is all about. Coach (Mike) Tomlin at all times talks about being an ‘A’ participant. We want these ‘A’ gamers to step up. That is what these ‘A’ gamers did on Sunday. You noticed the large performs to show the sport round.”
