Pittsburgh Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell Emerging As NFL’s Best Running Back
By Ed Morgans
@writered21
Getty Images
Week after week, second-year Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is proving why he will eventually be the best at his position in the NFL.
Already, the list of running backs ahead of Bell probably includes just one name – Dallas Cowboys standout DeMarco Murray. However, Bell moved into absolutely elite company on Sunday in Pittsburgh’s 42-21 win against the AFC North-leading Cincinnati Bengals, becoming just the second running back in league history to record 200-plus yards from scrimmage in three straight games.
Bell, who finished with 235 yards of total offense (185 rushing and 50 receiving), helped spark Pittsburgh’s comeback from being down 21-17 early in the fourth quarter with a 53-yard run that led to a field goal. The Steelers scored 25 unanswered points in the final quarter to post a signature win over a Bengals team that appeared headed to a division title given recent results.
Bell has posted 222, 254 and now 235 yards from scrimmage in his last three games. Only Murray, who has been a workhorse for the Cowboys and who is also very effective catching passes out of the backfield, has been in similar territory this season.
Before today, Walter Payton was the only NFL back to ever have 200-plus yards from scrimmage in three straight games.
Bell’s rushing yards put him over 1,000 for the season, and he’s on pace for nearly 800 receiving yards. Barring an injury or any other unforeseen event, Bell is on pace for 2.078 yards from scrimmage this season. That number would put his season in the top 50 all-time for running backs in the NFL.
Given his youth, his durability since missing the first few games of his career, and his ability to deliver as much physicality as he takes, Bell is well on his way to being the league’s best running back, perhaps as soon as next season.
The only thing Bell could stand to improve on is his ability to finish off long runs. His 53-yard run again saw him caught from behind, and he even has an 81-yard run this season vs. the Carolina Panthers that didn’t result in a touchdown. Bell has just five total touchdowns this season, three rushing. Part of that, however, can be chalked up to Pittsburgh’s play-calling close to the goal line.
But to take that last step to the top level where no other running backs can challenge him, Bell needs to be the complete home run threat and score on those breakout plays.
His 281 touches (216 rushing, 65 receptions) show how vital he is to the Pittsburgh offense. The Steelers don’t have a true backup, so should Bell get hurt at some point, the running game would be sunk. He has handled the workload so far in fine fashion, including his 204-yard rushing effort against the Tennessee Titans a few weeks ago.
He’s done all this without fumbling a single time this season, and will soon will claim that top spot in the NFL’s running back hierarchy.
Ed Morgans is an ACC Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @writered21 and add him to your network on Google.
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