Le’Veon Bell didn’t score a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s 43-14 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend but his 178 scrimmage yards were certainly welcomed as the Steelers ran riot at Heinz Field. Mike Tomlin’s men were on another level with Bell back in the starting line-up and it wasn’t a huge surprise to see Pittsburgh run up a hefty total; even against Kansas City’s formidable defensive unit.
Whilst Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters held Antonio Brown to just 64 yards from four receptions, two of those were touchdowns – and the Steelers will be more than happy with his day’s work. Meanwhile, Ben Roethlisberger threw five touchdown passes on a big day for the Pittsburgh offense. If truth be told, this game was all but over at half-time…
But Bell was the big difference-maker in this one and Pittsburgh fans know it. In fact, the Steelers running back – arguably the best in the National Football League – recorded 144 yards on just 18 carries; as well as making five receptions for 34 yards. Ultimately, Bell’s ability to line up in the slot or out of the backfield gives Roethlisberger a competent option and it helps to keep opposing defenses guessing.
On his day, Bell is capable of churning off the big runs but his versatility and unique ability to make plays lined up anywhere on offense is key to Pittsburgh’s title aspirations. At the time of writing, Betway, who offer more than just football betting, are pricing the Steelers at 7/1 to win the Super Bowl at the end of the campaign. If they can keep Le’Veon Bell fully fit and firing on all cylinders, they will be in with a great chance…
Most Pittsburgh fans wanted Tomlin to continue using Williams in order to guarantee Bell’s health at the end of the campaign but the former Carolina Panthers man was handed only a few carries during their victory over Kansas City. However, supporters won’t be too worried if Bell can maintain his form and fitness – especially if he is going to churn out over 150 scrimmage yards every week.
Bell is a supreme talent and he ranks alongside David Johnson as the top two three-down running backs in the National Football League. The Steelers back suits Tomlin’s scheme to the ground and Pittsburgh will prosper from his return; especially with Martavis Bryant out for the campaign. Le’Veon Bell isn’t going to win a Super Bowl on his own but he sure as hell gives Roethlisberger and co a far greater chance of getting back to the showpiece event…
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Dave B.
October 5, 2016 at 6:41 pm
No one , including myself , has ever questioned the raw talent of this kid . Hes as good a running back as the league has seen since Adrian Peterson made his debut . The problem with Bell is not talent , its decision making and maturity . He lacks both . Hes like a time bomb waiting to go off and you never know when that phone is going to ring and the league office is going to be on the other end with the news that , LeVeon Bell has failed another drug test . Its a dark cloud that hangs over his head and the organizations head . For all his enormous talent , at some point the Steelers will say enough is enough and Bell will be gone . He already has two strikes against him . One more , and in all likelihood , his career in Pittsburgh will be over .
DrGeorge
October 6, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Quite right, DaveB. But this article is lacking in the logic department too, by treating Bell’s return and Williams reversion to backup as a zero-sum game. What have the Steelers been missing while Bell was out? Not very much.
Even if we assume that Bell is at this point in time the more physically talented of the two — a not too difficult argument given Williams’ age — it does not follow that if Williams had started against KC that he wouldn’t have produced similar results. Or that if Bell had played against the Eagles instead of Williams that Bell wouldn’t have been similarly limited in rushing. In fact, I would argue that Williams can find and get through holes that Bell can’t.
But why quibble. Let’s assume for argument’s sake that Williams is worth 85% of Bell’s production; that would still make Williams one of the best backs in the league. That missing 15% hardly justifies the hyperbole of this article. And I would argue the difference is even less than 15%.
In truth, the Steelers are very fortunate to have both men, and as long as they are both healthy, Tomlin would be wise to use both, to save their legs for late in the season. I will go even further and suggest that giving Toussaint an occasional series wouldn’t be a bad thing either.
The key to the running game on any team is the O-line. That is why the recent O-line injuries are far more important to this team’s future than Bell’s return.