Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris has struggled for most of the 2024 season … that is, until Week 6, when he had an absolute classic performance reminiscent of his days at Alamaba, including his signature angry runs, and of course, a hurdle mixed in for good measure.

Harris totaled 106 rushing yards on 14 carries — his first 100-yard rushing game of the season and the seventh of his career. He also managed a 36-yard rushing touchdown that marked the second-longest run (and second-longest touchdown of his career). Harris was asked in his post-game pressure what made the difference

What was the difference? Really it was how the offensive line, receivers, tight ends, all of them came together and realized that for us to be efficient in the run game, it takes all of us. I do what I do impressing, but you know, I can only do so much. At the same time, you know, this is a team sport, so for the big plays to happen, for the splash plays that you want to see, you know, everybody talks about what they want to so more, just you know, it takes all 11 of us.

So, downfield blocking was a big thing that we tried to get better, and that’s the thing I think we did today — finishing and straining through runs, straining through plays. You know, if somebody breaks one, anyone breaks one, pitch another block. If you look around the league, those are what sparks big runs. That’s how big runs happen — the downfield plays from other guys. I think that was just something that showed today.

Harris’ message is an interesting one — “I can only do so much.” It feels like an indictment on the current state of the locker room, which has been a popular topic of conversation in the past week with WR George Pickens at the focus of it all. Harris’ acknowledgment of what made them successful in this game sure did feel like an indictment on what the rest of the offense hadn’t been contributing in the weeks before.

There have been some real concerns about Harris’ fit with the offense under OC Arthur Smith. However, with a little bit of extra help Sunday, he fended off some of those worries — for now, at least.