The offensive line was a big question mark coming into the season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially with four of the five starters having played two years or less in the NFL.
However, the line has been improving each week and delivered a stellar performance in a 23-9 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers did not allow any sacks and held standout defensive end Myles Garrett to two assists.
Aaron Rodgers was sacked seven times in the first two games. However, the 41-year-old quarterback has been taken down just twice in the last three games, both coming in a win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 29.
The Steelers did not rush for more than 72 yards in their first three games. However, they had 131 against the Vikings and 100 versus the Browns after a bye week.
Pro Football Focus rated the Steelers' offensive line as the 21st-best in the NFL when the season began. The Steelers have since moved up to No. 15, and coach Mike Tomlin believes there is room for improvement.
"I think the collective has gotten consistently better, but I just think that's a reasonable expectation," Tomlin said. "They're young as individuals. They're young as a collective, but with experience comes execution and precision, which has been the overall trajectory. I've probably answered that question every week over the last three weeks, and my answer is still the same. It's moving in the direction in which we would like it."
The Steelers' line is very young, with left tackle Broderick Jones in his third season and center Zach Frazier, right guard Mason McCormick, and right tackle Troy Fautanu in their second seasons. Left guard Issac Seumalo, a 10-year veteran, is the Steelers' only starter up front with significant experience.
"I think the more you have a better understanding of what you're doing as an individual and to trust that you're a component of a collective, I think it allows you to play harder and to play with emotion and for your talents to show more consistently, more fluidly," Tomlin said.