Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell had a good week.
He was selected to go to the Pro Bowl and named the MVP of the Steelers by his teammates in recognition of the leap he’s taken in his second season. Bell leads the AFC in rushing and he’s set team records for yards from scrimmage and receiving yards by a running back to help the Steelers get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Bell’s production has slowed a bit in the last two weeks as the Falcons and Chiefs have held him to 192 total yards after Bell topped 200 yards in each of Pittsburgh’s three previous outings. Bell’s not feeling down about that, though, because he’s seen the way the choice to key on him has opened up things up for the rest of the offense.
“I wouldn’t say [it’s] frustrating,” Bell said, via the Southwestern Pennsylvania Observer-Reporter. “Teams are obviously trying to slow down the run a little bit but they can’t stop the pass when they do that. Pick your poison.”
With Ben Roethlisberger second in the NFL in passing yards and Antonio Brown leading the league in receptions and receiving yards, that’s a pretty apt description of what defenses are faced with when lining up against the Steelers this season. That versatility has helped them to the top of the league’s offensive rankings while mitigating the impact of a defense that’s been leakier than we’re used to seeing from Steelers playoff teams.
If that defense can hold up, the offensive balance should make the Steelers a tough out in January whether they’re playing at Heinz Field or on the road.
