One thing that was clear in Monday’s loss to Cincinnati was an uptick in the Steelers’ use of playaction. For years, under Todd Haley and Randy Fichtner, Pittsburgh has been at or near the bottom of the league in PA usage. But there’s a clear benefit to it and Fichtner said that’s an element their offense needs to lean on more. Even if it means taking Ben Roethlisberger out of his comfort zone.
“Every week, we evaluate what can be done from a play action standpoint, from a protection standpoint of Ben Roethlisberger first,” Fichtner told reporters via a team transcript.