When the St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers meet Sunday for their Week 3 matchup, all eyes will be on the Steelers' running game. Le'Veon Bell returns to the Steelers' starting lineup following a two-game suspension, and the talented running back is looking to pick up where he left off last year as one of the top rushers in the league. The Rams' defense will look to rebound after being gashed by Washington's ground attack last week.
Steelers vs. Rams 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Le’Veon Bell is back for the Steelers, and Nick Foles is still trying to find a rhythm for the Rams in Week 3.
In recent years, St. Louis has had to rely on a strong defensive presence. Former quarterback Sam Bradford was seemingly always injured, and with a backup then forced into action the offense struggled to find a rhythm. This season is no different. The Rams are still trying to figure out their offense with Nick Foles now under center and with two young running backs -- Tre Mason and Todd Gurley -- dealing with injuries. So once again, the defense has had to step up to the plate to help when the offense stagnates.
But even at 1-1, including a huge Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams have allowed 55 points in two games.
Pittsburgh's defense seemed to be firing on all cylinders after a sub-par Week 1 performance against New England. Second-year linebacker Ryan Shazier is finally healthy after an injury-filled rookie season, and the 2014 first-round pick had a dominant performance in a Week 2 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in which he earned a game-high 15 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Shazier's tackling helped keep Niners running back Carlos Hyde under control in the win over San Francisco, but it will be Pittsburgh's pass rush and secondary that will be the main concerns against St. Louis.
Foles had the entire offseason to learn the St. Louis offense, and while he hasn’t put up the big numbers he displayed in 2013 with the Philadelphia Eagles, he’s been a solid game manager. He’s completed 35 of 59 passes for 447 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. The biggest problem so far is that he hasn’t found the one go-to receiver that every star quarterback needs.
But Foles also needs more help from the Rams' running backs, who are averaging fewer than 75 yards per game. Mason returned from a hamstring injury in Week 2, though he still isn't 100 percent. Meanwhile, highly touted rookie Gurley still hasn't made his NFL debut as he recovers from a torn ACL.
The Steelers are dealing with a much steadier situation on offense. Bell's return gives Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger yet another weapon, and not just on the ground. Last season, Bell was the team's second-leading receiver with 83 catches for 854 yards, in addition to his impressive 1,361 rushing yards. But new teammate DeAngelo Williams filled in quite well during Bell's absence, putting up 41 carries for 204 yards and three touchdowns. The combination should be successful against a Rams defense that has struggled badly against the run, allowing over 150 yards per game.
The run game is hardly the only threat Pittsburgh's offense has to offer, with Antonio Brown having already caught 18 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns. Adding Bell to what Williams, Roethlisberger and Brown are already doing will be a major challenge for the Rams' defense.
How to watch
When: 1 p.m. ET
Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Mo.
TV: CBS
Announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl
Online: NFL Game Pass
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