James Conner has been one of the NFL's best running backs during the 2018 season. Through 11 games, Conner has amassed 1,302 all-purpose yards to go with 11 total touchdowns. The AFC's reigning Offensive Player of the Month, Conner was one of the main reasons for the Steelers' six-game winning streak that propelled Pittsburgh into sole possession of first place in the AFC North division.
On Sunday, however, Conner was a forgotten man in Pittsburgh's offense. Facing the NFL's 27th ranked defense against the run, Conner's number was called just 13 times, as the Steelers threw the ball 56 times and ran the ball just 16 times. In fact, on Pittsburgh's final 15 offensive plays following Conner's third quarter fumble, the Steelers called 14 pass plays while calling Conner's number just once, a 1-yard gain that brought the ball to the Broncos' 1-yard line on the play before Ben Roethlisberger's fateful interception with 1:07 remaining. Conner, who had four consecutive 100-yard rushing performances at one point this season, has had just 34 carries for 142 yards over Pittsburgh's last three games. Despite his teammates' recent lack of production and opportunities, Big Ben said after Sunday's game that the offense has not lost faith in their new starting running back.
“Not at all," Roethlisberger said when asked if there's concern with regard to the running game. "The game plan dictated today that we could throw it. We threw the ball. A lot of guys made plays for us. Why get away from something that you are successful in just to force something else? We had a drive there where we ran it four or five-straight times and moved the ball. We aren’t going to get away from something that is working.”
