Good running is the key to successful play-action, Tomlin says

There’s an old school and a new school approach to game action. The old school assumes that you need a strong running game to open game action. The new school says this isn’t required and an offense just needs to sell the fake, even if the running game isn’t statistically strong. It’s no surprise that Mike Tomlin is in the old-school camp that warns against reading too much into Russell Wilson and the Steelers’ success in a game with effective play-action.

“Running game,” Tomlin said via the team’s YouTube channel when asked why the game against the Jets worked so well. “Play action is only effective when you have commitment and an effective running game.”

As we pointed out yesterday, the Steelers had their most successful play-action effort against the Jets. Regardless of which chart you use, Wilson threw for at least 150 yards against the Jets and completed a high number of play-action passes. These included short throws in the flats that went to TEs Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington for long gains, as well as downfield throws to WRs George Pickens and Calvin Austin III.

Despite the eye-popping numbers, Tomlin understands that success has as much to do with the opponent as it does with himself.

“It could just be the way the New York Jets chose their defense,” he said. “They play a lot of man-to-man. We lined up in huddles and made some play-action passes, and Calvin didn’t get free until late. And sometimes it’s not about us, to be completely honest, especially when it’s a small sample size.”

True, the Jets played a lot of man coverage and were constantly beaten by picks and rub routes. On his 36-yard catch, Austin switched release and ran into George Pickens. The Jets’ DBs struggled to pass the ball, and Austin sprinted into the open grass for an easy pitch and catch. Whether it was play-action or a traditional drop-back, this play would be a big win.

Still, the difference in the way both quarterbacks execute their play-fake is clear. Wilson sells it better than Justin Fields, sucking in the defense before throwing over the top.

Whatever the reason or philosophy, the Steelers need this success to continue. Play-action is too integral to Pittsburgh’s offense to be as ineffective as it was in the first six weeks, to the point where the use of it was actively detrimental to a subpar offense. If Wilson can keep going, the offense’s success can continue.